AU2001249269A1 - Carbocyclic side chain containing metalloprotease inhibitors - Google Patents

Description

CARBOCYCLIC SIDE CHAIN CONTAINING METALLOPROTEASE INHIBITORS

CROSS REFERENCE

This application claims priority under Title 35, United States Code 119(e) from Provisional Application Serial No. 60/191,059, filed March 21, 2000.

TECHNICAL FIELD This invention is directed to compounds which are useful in treating diseases associated with metalloprotease activity, particularly zinc metalloprotease activity. The invention is also directed to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds, and to methods of treating metalloprotease-related maladies using the compounds or the pharmaceutical compositions.

BACKGROUND A number of structurally related metalloproteases effect the breakdown of structural proteins. These metalloproteases often act on the intercellular matrix, and thus are involved in tissue breakdown and remodeling. Such proteins are referred to as metalloproteases or MPs.

There are several different families of MPs, classified by sequence homology, disclosed in the art. These MPs include Matrix-Metallo Proteases (MMPs); zinc metalloproteases; many of the membrane bound metalloproteases; TNF converting enzymes; angiotensin-converting enzymes (ACEs); disintegrins, including ADAMs (see Wolfsberg et al, 131 J. Cell Bio. 275-78 October, 1995); and the enkephalinases. Examples of MPs include human skin fibroblast collagenase, human skin fibroblast gelatinase, human sputum collagenase, aggrecanse and gelatinase, and human stromelysin. Collagenases, stromelysin, aggrecanase and related enzymes are thought to be important in mediating the symptomatology of a number of diseases.

Potential therapeutic indications of MP inhibitors have been discussed in the literature. See, for example, U.S. Patents 5,506,242 (Ciba Geigy Corp.) and 5,403,952 (Merck & Co.); the following PCT published applications: WO 96/06074 (British Bio Tech Ltd.); WO 96/00214 (Ciba Geigy), WO 95/35275 (British Bio Tech Ltd.), WO 95/35276 (British Bio Tech Ltd.), WO 95/33731 (Hoffman-LaRoche), WO 95/33709 (Hoffman-LaRoche), WO 95/32944 (British Bio Tech Ltd.), WO 95/26989 (Merck), WO 9529892 (DuPont Merck), WO 95/24921 (Inst. Opthamology), WO 95/23790 (SmithKline Beecham), WO 95/22966 (Sanofi Winthrop), WO 95/19965 (Glycomed), WO 95 19956 (British Bio Tech Ltd), WO 95/19957 (British Bio Tech Ltd.), WO 95/19961 (British Bio Tech Ltd.), WO 95/13289 (Chiroscience Ltd.), WO 95/12603 (Syntax), WO 95/09633 (Florida State Univ.), WO 95/09620 (Florida State Univ.), WO 95/04033 (Celltech), WO 94/25434 (Celltech), WO 94/25435 (Celltech); WO 93/14112 (Merck), WO 94/0019 (Glaxo), WO 93/21942 (British Bio Tech Ltd.), WO 92/22523 (Res. Corp. Tech Inc.), WO 94/10990 (British Bio Tech Ltd.), WO 93/09090 (Yamanouchi); British patents GB 2282598 (Merck) and GB 2268934 (British Bio Tech Ltd.); published European Patent Applications EP 95/684240 (Hoffman LaRoche), EP 574758 (Hoffman LaRoche) and EP 575844 (Hoffman LaRoche); published Japanese applications JP 08053403 (Fujusowa Pharm. Co. Ltd.) and JP 7304770 (Kanebo Ltd.); and Bird et al., J. Med. Chem.. vol. 37, pp. 158-69 (1994). Examples of potential therapeutic uses of MP inhibitors include rheumatoid arthritis -

Mullins, D. E., et al., Biochim. Biophys. Acta. (1983) 695:117-214; osteoarthritis - Henderson, B., et al., Drugs of the Future (1990) 15:495-508; cancer - Yu, A. E. et al., Matrix Metalloproteinases - Novel Targets for Directed Cancer Therapy, Drugs & Aging. Vol. 11(3), p. 229-244 (Sept. 1997), Chambers, A.F. and Matrisian, L.M., Review: Changing Views of the Role of Matrix Metalloproteinases in Metastasis, J. of the Nat'l Cancer Inst., Vol. 89(17), p. 1260-1270 (Sept. 1997), Bra hall, S.R., The Matrix Metalloproteinases and Their Inhibitors in Pancreatic Cancer, Internat'l J. of Pancreatology, Vol. 4, p. 1101-1109 (May 1998), Nemunaitis, J. et al., Combined Analysis of Studies of the Effects of the Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitor Marimastat on Serum Tumor Markers in Advanced Cancer: Selection of a Biologically Active and Tolerable Dose for Longer-term Studies, Clin. Cancer Res., Vol 4, p. 1101-1109 (May 1998), and Rasmussen, H.S. and McCann, P.P, Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibition as a Novel Anticancer Strategy: A Review with Special Focus on Batimastat and Marimastat, Pharmacol. Ther., Vol 75(1), p. 69-75 (1997); the metastasis of tumor cells - ibid, Broadhurst, M. J., et al., European Patent Application 276,436 (published 1987), Reich, R., et al., Cancer Res.. Vol. 48, p. 3307- 3312 (1988); multiple sclerosis - Gijbels et al., J. Clin. Invest., vol. 94, p. 2177-2182 (1994); and various ulcerations or ulcerative conditions of tissue. For example, ulcerative conditions can result in the cornea as the result of alkali burns or as a result of infection by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acanthamoeba, Herpes simplex and vaccinia viruses. Other examples of conditions characterized by undesired metalloprotease activity include periodontal disease, epidermolysis bullosa, fever, inflammation and scleritis (e.g., DeCicco et al., PCT published application WO

95/29892, published November 9, 1995).

In view of the involvement of such metalloproteases in a number of disease conditions, attempts have been made to prepare inhibitors to these enzymes. A number of such inhibitors are disclosed in the literature. Examples include U.S. Patent No. 5,183,900, issued February 2, 1993 to Galardy; U.S. Patent No. 4,996,358, issued February 26, 1991 to Handa et al.; U.S. Patent No.

4,771,038, issued September 13, 1988 to Wolanin et al.; U.S. Patent No. 4,743,587, issued May

10, 1988 to Dickens et al., European Patent Publication No. 575,844, published December 29,

1993 by Broadhurst et al.; International Patent Publication No. WO 93/09090, published May 13, 1993 by Isomura et al.; World Patent Publication 92/17460, published October 15, 1992 by

Markwell et al.; and European Patent Publication No. 498,665, published August 12, 1992 by

Beckett et al.

It would be advantageous to inhibit these metalloproteases in treating diseases related to unwanted metalloprotease activity. Though a variety of MP inhibitors have been prepared, there is a continuing need for potent matrix metalloprotease inhibitors useful in treating diseases associated with metalloprotease activity.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides compounds which are potent inhibitors of metalloproteases and which are effective in treating conditions characterized by excess activity of these enzymes. In particular, the present invention relates to compounds having a structure according to the following Formula (I):

wherein:

(A) R¹ is selected from -OH and -NHOH; (B) R² is selected from hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, heteroalkyl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, heteroaryl and heteroarylalkyl; or R² and A form a ring as described in (C); (C) A is a substituted or unsubstituted, monocyclic cycloalkyl having from 3 to 8 ring atoms; or A is bonded to R² where, together, they form a substituted or unsubstituted, monocyclic cycloalkyl having from 3 to 8 ring atoms;

(D) E and E' are bonded to the same or different ring carbon atoms of A and are independently selected from a covalent bond, C1-C4 alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, heteroalkyl,

-O-, -S-, -N(R⁴)-, =N, C=O, -C(=O)O-, -C(=O)N(R⁴)-, -SO2-, and -C(=S)N(R⁴)-, where R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, heteroalkyl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, heteroaryl and heteroarylalkyl, or R⁴ and L join to form a ring as described in (E)(2); (E) (1) L and L' are independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, heteroalkyl, haloalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, -C(=O)R⁵, -C(=O)OR⁵, -C(=O)NR⁵R^5' and -SO2R⁵, where R⁵ and

R^5' each is independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, heteroalkyl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, heteroaryl and heteroarylalkyl; or

(2) L and R⁴ join to form an optionally substituted heterocyclic ring containing from 3 to 8 ring atoms of which from 1 to 3 are heteroatoms; or

(3) L and L' join to form an optionally substituted cycloalkyl containing from 3 to 8 ring atoms or an optionally substituted hetercycloalkyl containing from 3 to 8 ring atoms of which from 1 to 3 are heteroatoms;

(F) G is selected from -S-, -O-, -N(R⁶)-, -C(R⁶)=C(R^6')-, -N=C(R⁶)- and -N=N-, where R⁶ and R^δ' each is independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, heteroalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, cycloalkyl and heterocycloalkyl; and

(G) Z is selected from: (1) cycloalkyl and heterocycloalkyl;

(2) -J-(CR⁷R^7')_αR⁸ where:

(a) a is from 0 to about 4;

(b) J is selected from -C≡C-, -CH=CH-, -N=N-, -O-, -S- and -SO2-;

(c) each R⁷ and R^7' is independently selected -from hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, heteroalkyl, heteroaryl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, halogen, haloalkyl, hydroxy and alkoxy; and

(d) R⁸ is selected from hydrogen, aryl, heteroaryl, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, heteroalkyl, haloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl and cycloalkyl; and, if J is CsC- or -CH=CH-, then R⁸ may also be selected from -C(=O)NR⁹R^9' where (i) R⁹ and R^9' are independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, cycloalkyl and heterocycloalkyl, or (ii) R⁹ and R^{9 '}, together with the nitrogen atom to which they are bonded, join to form an optionally substituted heterocyclic ring containing from 5 to 8 ring atoms of which from 1 to 3 are heteroatoms; (3) -NR¹⁰R^10' where:

(a) R¹⁰ and R^10' each is independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, heteroalkyl, haloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, cycloalkyl, heteroalkyl and - C(=O)-Q-(CR^uR^π')Z>R¹² where:

(i) b is from 0 to about 4;

(ii) Q is selected from a covalent bond and -N(R¹³)-; and (iii) each R" and R^11' is independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, heteroalkyl, heteroaryl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, halogen, haloalkyl, hydroxy and alkoxy; either (A) R¹² and R¹³ each is independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, heteroalkyl, haloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, cycloalkyl and heterocycloalkyl, or (B) R¹² and R¹³, together with the atoms to which they are bonded, join to form an optionally substituted heterocyclic ring containing from 5 to 8 ring atoms of which from 1 to 3 are heteroatoms; or R¹⁰ and R¹³, together with the nitrogen atoms to which they are bonded, join to form an optionally substituted heterocyclic ring containing from 5 to 8 ring atoms of which from 2 to 3 are heteroatoms; or

(b) R¹⁰ and R^10', together with the nitrogen atom to which they are bonded, join to form an optionally substituted heterocyclic ring containing from 5 to 8 ring atoms of which from 1 to 3 are heteroatoms; and w_here:

(a) A' and J' are independently selected from -CH- and -N-;

(b) G' is selected from -S-, -O-, -N(R¹⁵)-, -C(R¹⁵)=C(R^15')-,-N=C(R¹⁵)- and N=N-, where R¹⁵ and R^15' each is independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, heteroalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, cycloalkyl and heterocycloalkyl; (c) c is from 0 to about 4;

(d) each R¹⁴ and R^14' is independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, heteroalkyl, heteroaryl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, halogen, haloalkyl, hydroxy and alkoxy; (e) D is selected from a covalent bond, -O-, -SO -, -C(=O)-,

C(=O)N(R¹⁶)-, -N(R¹⁶)- and -N(R¹⁶)C(=O)-; where d is from 0 to 2 and R¹⁶ is selected from hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, heteroaryl, heteroalkyl, heteroaryl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl and haloalkyl; and

(f) T is -(CR¹⁷R^17')e-R¹⁸ where e is from 0 to about 4; each R¹⁷ and R^17' is independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, heteroalkyl, heteroaryl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, halogen, haloalkyl, hydroxy, alkoxy and aryloxy; and R¹⁸ is selected from hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, halogen, heteroalkyl, haloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, cycloalkyl and heterocycloalkyl; or R¹⁷ and R¹⁸, together with the atoms to which they are bonded, join to form an optionally substituted heterocyclic ring containing from 5 to 8 atoms of which 1 to 3 are heteroatoms; or R¹⁶ and R¹⁸, together with the atoms to which they are bonded, join to form an optionally substituted heterocyclic ring containing from 5 to 8 atoms of which 1 to 3 are heteroatoms; or an optical isomer, diastereomer or enantiomer for Formula (I), or a pharmaceutically- acceptable salt, or biohydrolyzable amide, ester, or imide thereof.

This invention also includes optical isomers, diastereomers and enantiomers of the formula above, and pharmaceutically-acceptable salts, biohydrolyzable amides, esters, and imides thereof. The compounds of the present invention are useful for the treatment of diseases and conditions which are characterized by unwanted metalloprotease activity. Accordingly, the invention further provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds. The invention still further provides methods of treatment for metalloprotease-related maladies.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION I. Terms and Definitions:

The following is a list of definitions for terms used herein:

The following is a list of definitions for terms used herein. "Acyl" or "carbonyl" is a radical formed by removal of the hydroxy from a carboxylic acid (i.e., R-C(=O)-). Preferred acyl groups include (for example) acetyl, formyl, and propionyl.

"Alkyl" is a saturated hydrocarbon chain having 1 to 15 carbon atoms, preferably 1 to 10, more preferably 1 to 4 carbon atoms. "Alkene" is a hydrocarbon chain having at least one (preferably only one) carbon-carbon double bond and having 2 to 15 carbon atoms, preferably 2 to 10, more preferably 2 to 4 carbon atoms. "Alkyne" is a hydrocarbon chain having at least one (preferably only one) carbon-carbon triple bond and having 2 to 15 carbon atoms, preferably 2 to 10, more preferably 2 to 4 carbon atoms. Alkyl, alkene and alkyne chains (refeπed to collectively as "hydrocarbon chains") may be straight or branched and may be unsubstituted or substituted. Preferred branched alkyl, alkene and alkyne chains have one or two branches, preferably one branch. Preferred chains are alkyl. Alkyl, alkene and alkyne hydrocarbon chains each may be unsubstituted or substituted with from 1 to 4 substituents; when substituted, prefeπed chains are mono-, di-, or tri-substituted. Alkyl, alkene and alkyne hydrocarbon chains each may be substituted with halo, hydroxy, aryloxy (e.g., phenoxy), heteroaryloxy, acyloxy (e.g., acetoxy), carboxy, aryl (e.g., phenyl), heteroaryl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, spirocycle, amino, amido, acylamino, keto, thioketo, cyano, or any combination thereof. Preferred hydrocarbon groups include methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, vinyl, allyl, butenyl, and exomethylenyl.

Also, as referred to herein, a "lower" alkyl, alkene or alkyne moiety (e.g., "lower alkyl") is a chain comprised of 1 to 6, preferably from 1 to 4, carbon atoms in the case of alkyl and 2 to 6, preferably 2 to 4, carbon atoms in the case of alkene and alkyne.

"Alkoxy" is an oxygen radical having a hydrocarbon chain substituent, where the hydrocarbon chain is an alkyl or alkenyl (i.e., -O-alkyl or -O-alkenyl). Prefeπed alkoxy groups include (for example) methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy and allyloxy.

"Aryl" is an aromatic hydrocarbon ring. Aryl rings are monocyclic or fused bicyclic ring systems. Monocyclic aryl rings contain 6 carbon atoms in the ring. Monocyclic aryl rings are also refeπed to as phenyl rings. Bicyclic aryl rings contain from 8 to 17 carbon atoms, preferably 9 to 12 carbon atoms, in the ring. Bicyclic aryl rings include ring systems wherein one ring is aryl and the other ring is aryl, cycloalkyl, or heterocycloakyl. Preferred bicyclic aryl rings comprise 5-, 6- or 7-membered rings fused to 5-, 6-, or 7-membered rings. Aryl rings may be unsubstituted or substituted with from 1 to 4 substituents on the ring. Aryl may be substituted with halo, cyano, nitro, hydroxy, carboxy, amino, acylamino, alkyl, heteroalkyl, haloalkyl, phenyl, aryloxy, alkoxy, heteroalkyloxy, carbamyl, haloalkyl, methylenedioxy, heteroaryloxy, or any combination thereof. Prefeπed aryl rings include naphthyl, tolyl, xylyl, and phenyl. The most prefeπed aryl ring radical is phenyl. "Aryloxy" is an oxygen radical having an aryl substituent (i.e., -O-aryl). Prefeπed aryloxy groups include (for example) phenoxy, napthyloxy, methoxyphenoxy, and methylenedioxyphenoxy.

"Cycloalkyl" is a saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon ring. Cycloalkyl rings are not aromatic. Cycloalkyl rings are monocyclic, or are fused, spiro, or bridged bicyclic ring systems. Monocyclic cycloalkyl rings contain from about 3 to about 9 carbon atoms, preferably from 3 to 7 carbon atoms, in the ring. Bicyclic cycloalkyl rings contain from 7 to 17 carbon atoms, preferably from 7 to 12 carbon atoms, in the ring. Preferred bicyclic cycloalkyl rings comprise 4-, 5-, 6- or 7-membered rings fused to 5-, 6-, or 7-membered rings. Cycloalkyl rings may be unsubstituted or substituted with from 1 to 4 substituents on the ring. Cycloalkyl may be substituted with halo, cyano, alkyl, heteroalkyl, haloalkyl, phenyl, keto, hydroxy, carboxy, amino, acylamino, aryloxy, heteroaryloxy, or any combination thereof. Prefeπed cycloalkyl rings include cyclopropyl, cyclopentyl, and cyclohexyl.

"Halo" or "halogen" is fluoro, chloro, bromo or iodo. Prefeπed halo are fluoro, chloro and bromo; more prefeπed typically are chloro and fluoro, especially fluoro.

"Haloalkyl" is a straight, branched, or cyclic hydrocarbon substituted with one or more halo substituents. Prefeπed are C^-C^ haloalkyls; more prefeπed are Cj-Cg haloalkyls; still more prefeπed still are C1-C3 haloalkyls. Prefeπed halo substituents are fluoro and chloro. The most prefeπed haloalkyl is trifluoromethyl. "Heteroatom" is a nitrogen, sulfur, or oxygen atom. Groups containing more than one heteroatom may contain different heteroatoms.

"Heteroalkyl" is a saturated or unsaturated chain containing carbon and at least one heteroatom, wherein no two heteroatoms are adjacent. Heteroalkyl chains contain from 2 to 15 member atoms (carbon and heteroatoms) in the chain, preferably 2 to 10, more preferably 2 to 5. For example, alkoxy (i.e., -O-alkyl or -O-heteroalkyl) radicals are included in heteroalkyl. Heteroalkyl chains may be straight or branched. Prefeπed branched heteroalkyl have one or two branches, preferably one branch. Prefeπed heteroalkyl are saturated. Unsaturated heteroalkyl have one or more carbon-carbon double bonds and/or one or more carbon-carbon triple bonds. Prefeπed unsaturated heteroalkyls have one or two double bonds or one triple bond, more preferably one double bond. Heteroalkyl chains may be unsubstituted or substituted with from 1 to 4 substituents. Prefeπed substituted heteroalkyl are mono-, di-, or tri-substituted. Heteroalkyl may be substituted with lower alkyl, haloalkyl, halo, hydroxy, aryloxy, heteroaryloxy, acyloxy, carboxy, monocyclic aryl, heteroaryl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, spirocycle, amino, acylamino, amido, keto, thioketo, cyano, or any combination thereof. "Heteroaryl" is an aromatic ring containing carbon atoms and from 1 to about 6 heteroatoms in the ring. Heteroaryl rings are monocyclic or fused bicyclic ring systems. Monocyclic heteroaryl rings contain from about 5 to about 9 member atoms (carbon and heteroatoms), preferably 5 or 6 member atoms, in the ring. Bicyclic heteroaryl rings contain from 8 to 17 member atoms, preferably 8 to 12 member atoms, in the ring. Bicyclic heteroaryl rings include ring systems wherein one ring is heteroaryl and the other ring is aryl, heteroaryl, cycloalkyl, or heterocycloalkyl. Preferred bicyclic heteroaryl ring systems comprise 5-, 6- or 7-membered rings fused to 5-, 6-, or 7-membered rings. Heteroaryl rings may be unsubstituted or substituted with from 1 to 4 substituents on the ring. Heteroaryl may be substituted with halo, cyano, nitro, hydroxy, carboxy, amino, acylamino, alkyl, heteroalkyl, haloalkyl, phenyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, heteroaryloxy, or any combination thereof. Prefeπed heteroaryl rings include, but are not limited to, the following:

uran Thiophene Pyrrole Pyrazole Imidazole Oxazole I osoxazole

Isothiazole Thiazole 1 ,2,5-Thiadiazole 1 ,2,3-Triazole 1 ,3,4-Thiadiazole Furazan

1 ,2,3-Thiadiazole 1 ,2,4-Thiadiazole Benzotriazole 1 ,2,4-Triazole Tetrazole

,0.

N. N N N

< < λ » , N N-N N-N N-N l

1 ,2,4-Oxadiazole 1 ,3,4-Oxadiazole 1 ,2,3,4-Oxatriazole 1 ,2,3,4-T iatriazole 1 ,2,3,5-Thiatriazole

1 ,2,3,5-Oxatriazole 1 ,2,3-Triazine 1 ,2,4-Triazine 1 ,2,4,5-Tetrazine Dibenzofuran

Pyridine Pyridazine Pyrimidine Pyrazine 1 ,3,5-Triazine Indolizine Indole Isoindole Benzofuran Benzothiophene

Isoquinoline Cinnoline Phthalazine Quinazoline Quinoxaline 1 ,8-Napthypyridine

Acridine Phenazine "Heteroaryloxy" is an oxygen radical having a heteroaryl substituent (i.e., -O-heteroaryl).

Prefeπed heteroaryloxy groups include (for example) pyridyloxy, furanyloxy, (thiophene)oxy, (oxazole)oxy, (thiazole)oxy, (isoxazole)oxy, pyrmidinyloxy, pyrazinyloxy, and benzothiazolyloxy.

"Heterocycloalkyl" is a saturated or unsaturated ring containing carbon atoms and from 1 to about 4 (preferably 1 to 3) heteroatoms in the ring. Heterocycloalkyl rings are not aromatic. Heterocycloalkyl rings are monocyclic, or are fused, bridged, or spiro bicyclic ring systems. Monocyclic heterocycloalkyl rings contain from about 3 to about 9 member atoms (carbon and heteroatoms), preferably from 5 to 7 member atoms, in the ring. Bicyclic heterocycloalkyl rings contain from 7 to 17 member atoms, preferably 7 to 12 member atoms, in the ring. Bicyclic heterocycloalkyl rings contain from about 7 to about 17 ring atoms, preferably from 7 to 12 ring atoms. Bicyclic heterocycloalkyl rings may be fused, spiro, or bridged ring systems. Prefeπed bicyclic heterocycloalkyl rings comprise 5-, 6- or 7-membered rings fused to 5-, 6- , or 7-membered rings. Heterocycloalkyl rings may be unsubstituted or substituted with from 1 to 4 substituents on the ring. Heterocycloalkyl may be substituted with halo, cyano, hydroxy, carboxy, keto, thioketo, amino, acylamino, acyl, amido, alkyl, heteroalkyl, haloalkyl, phenyl, alkoxy, aryloxy or any combination thereof. Prefeπed substituents on heterocycloalkyl include halo and haloalkyl. Prefeπed heterocycloalkyl rings include, but are not limited to, the following:

Oxirane Aziridine Oxetane Azetidine Tetrahydrofuran Pyrrolidine 3H-lndole

,3-Dioxolane 1 ,2-Dithiolane 1 ,3-Dithiolane 4,5-Dihydroisoxazole 2,3-Dihydroisoxazole

,5-Dihydropyrazole Imidazolidine Indoline 2H-Pyrrole Phenoxazine 4H-^Quinolizine

Pyrazolidine 2H-Pyran 3,4-Dihydro-2H-pyran Tetrahydropyran 2H-Chromene

Chromone Chroman Piperidine Morpholine 4H-1 ,3-Oxazine 6H-1 ,3-Oxazine

5,6-dihydro-4/-/-1 ,3-oxazine 4H-3,1-benzoxazine Phenothiazine 1,3-Dioxane

Cepham Piperazine Hexahydroazepine 1,3-Dithiane 1 ,4-Dioxane Penem

Coumarin Thiomorpholine Uracil Thymine Cytosine Thiolane ^■

2,3-Dihydro-1H-lsoindole Phthalan 1 ,4-Oxathiane 1 ,4-Dithiane hexahydro-Pyridazine

1 ,2-Benzisothiazoline Benzylsultam

As used herein, "mammalian metalloprotease" refers to the proteases disclosed in the "Background" section of this application. The compounds of the present invention are preferably active against "mammalian metalloproteases", including any metal-containing (preferably zinc- containing) enzyme found in animal, preferably mammalian, sources capable of catalyzing the breakdown of collagen, gelatin or proteoglycan under suitable assay conditions. Appropriate assay conditions can be found, for example, in U.S. Patent No. 4,743,587, which references the procedure of Cawston, et al., Anal. Biochem. (1979) 99:340-345; use of a synthetic substrate is described bv Weingarten. H„ et al. Biochem. Bionhv. Res. Comm. C1984) 139:1184-1187. See also Knight, C.G. et al, "A Novel Coumarin-Labelled Peptide for Sensitive Continuous Assays of the Matrix Metalloproteases", FEBS Letters. Vol. 296, pp. 263-266 (1992). Any standard method for analyzing the breakdown of these structural proteins can, of course, be used. The present compounds are more preferably active against metalloprotease enzymes that are zinc-containing proteases which are similar in structure to, for example, human stromelysin or skin fibroblast collagenase. The ability of candidate compounds to inhibit metalloprotease activity can, of course, be tested in the assays described above. Isolated metalloprotease enzymes can be used to confirm the inhibiting activity of the invention compounds, or crude extracts which contain the range of enzymes capable of tissue breakdown can be used. "Spirocycle" is an alkyl or heteroalkyl diradical substituent of alkyl or heteroalkyl wherein said diradical substituent is attached geminally and wherein said diradical substituent forms a ring, said ring containing 4 to 8 member atoms (carbon or heteroatom), preferably 5 or 6 member atoms.

While alkyl, heteroalkyl, cycloalkyl, and heterocycloalkyl groups may be substituted with hydroxy, amino, and amido groups as stated above, the following are not envisioned in the invention:

1. Enols (OH attached to a carbon bearing a double bond). 2. Amino groups attached to a carbon bearing a double bond (except for vinylogous amides).

3. More than one hydroxy, amino, or amido attached to a single carbon (except where two nitrogen atoms are attached to a single carbon atom and all three atoms are member atoms within a heterocycloalkyl ring).

4. Hydroxy, amino, or amido attached to a carbon that also has a heteroatom attached to it.

5. Hydroxy, amino, or amido attached to a carbon that also has a halogen attached to it. A "pharmaceutically-acceptable salt" is a cationic salt formed at any acidic (e.g., hydroxamic or carboxylic acid) group, or an anionic salt formed at any basic (e.g., amino) group. Many such salts are known in the art, as described in World Patent Publication 87/05297, Johnston et al, published September 11, 1987 incorporated by reference herein. Prefeπed cationic salts include the alkali metal salts (such as sodium and potassium), and alkaline earth metal salts (such as magnesium and calcium) and organic salts. Preferred anionic salts include the halides (such as chloride salts), sulfonates, carboxylates, phosphates, and the like.

Such salts are well understood by the skilled artisan, and the skilled artisan is able to prepare any number of salts given the knowledge in the art. Furthermore, it is recognized that the skilled artisan may prefer one salt over another for reasons of solubility, stability, formulation ease and the like. Determination and optimization of such salts is within the purview of the skilled artisan's practice.

A "biohydrolyzable amide" is an amide of a hydroxamic acid-containing (i.e., R¹ in Formula (I) is -NHOH) metalloprotease inhibitor that does not interfere with the inhibitory activity of the compound, or that is readily converted in vivo by an animal, preferably a mammal, more preferably a human subject, to yield an active metalloprotease inhibitor. Examples of such amide derivatives are alkoxyamides, where the hydroxyl hydrogen of the hydroxamic acid of Formula (I) is replaced by an alkyl moiety, and acyloxyamides, where the hydroxyl hydrogen is replaced by an acyl moiety (i.e., R-C(=O)-).

A "biohydrolyzable hydroxy imide" is an imide of a hydroxamic acid-containing metalloprotease inhibitor that does not interfere with the metalloprotease inhibitory activity of these compounds, or that is readily converted in vivo by an animal, preferably a mammal, more preferably a human subject to yield an active metalloprotease inhibitor. Examples of such imide derivatives are those where the amino hydrogen of the hydroxamic acid of Formula (I) is replaced by an acyl moiety (i.e., R-C(=O)-). A "biohydrolyzable ester" is an ester of a carboxylic acid-containing (i.e., R¹ in Formula (I) is -OH) metalloprotease inhibitor that does not interfere with the metalloprotease inhibitory activity of these compounds or that is readily converted by an animal to yield an active metalloprotease inhibitor. Such esters include lower alkyl esters, lower acyloxy-alkyl esters (such as acetoxymethyl, acetoxyethyl, aminocarbonyloxymethyl, pivaloyloxymethyl and pivaloyloxyethyl esters), lactonyl esters (such as phthalidyl and thiophthalidyl esters), lower alkoxyacyloxyalkyl esters (such as methoxycarbonyloxymethyl, ethoxycarbonyloxyethyl and isopropoxycarbonyloxyethyl esters), alkoxyalkyl esters, choline esters and alkyl acylamino alkyl esters (such as acetamidomethyl esters). A "solvate" is a complex formed by the combination of a solute (e.g., a metalloprotease inhibitor) and a solvent (e.g., water). See J. Honig et al, The Van Nostrand Chemist's Dictionary, p. 650 (1953). Pharmaceutically-acceptable solvents used according to this invention include those that do not interfere with the biological activity of the metalloprotease inhibitor (e.g., water, ethanol, acetic acid, N,N-dimethylformamide and others known or readily determined by the skilled artisan).

The terms "optical isomer", "stereoisomer", and "diastereomer" have the standard art recognized meanings (see, e.g., Hawlev's Condensed Chemical Dictionary, 11th Ed.). The illustration of specific protected forms and other derivatives of the compounds of the instant invention is not intended to be limiting. The application of other useful protecting groups, salt forms, etc. is within the ability of the skilled artisan.

II. Compounds:

The subject invention involves compounds of Formula (I):

where R¹, R², n, A, E, E', L, L', G and Z have the meanings described above. The following provides a description of particularly prefeπed moieties, but is not intended to limit the scope of the claims.

R¹ is selected from -OH and -NHOH, preferably -OH. R² is selected from hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, heteroalkyl, haloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heterocycloalkylalkyl, arylalkyl and heteroarylalkyl; preferably hydrogen or alkyl, more preferably hydrogen. n is from 0 to about 4, preferably 0 or 1, more preferably 0. A is a substituted or unsubstituted, monocyclic cycloalkyl having from 3 to 8 ring atoms, preferably 5 or 6 ring atoms, more preferably 6 ring atoms. A is preferably substituted or unsubstituted cyclopentane or cyclohexane. Alternatively, A and R² can together form a substituted or unsubstituted, monocyclic cycloalkyl having from 3 to 8 ring atoms, preferably 5 or 6 ring atoms. E and E' are bonded to the same or different ring carbon atoms of A and are independently selected from a covalent bond, C1-C4 alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, heteroalkyl, -O-,

-S-, -N(R⁴)-, =N-, -C(=O)-, -C(=O)O-, -C(=O)N(R⁴)-, -SO2- and -C(=S)N(R⁴)-. In those embodiments where L and R⁴ do not join to form a ring, E is preferably selected from -O-, -S-, NR⁴, or -SO₂-, more preferably E is -O- or -N(R⁴); and E' is preferably a bond. In those embodiments where L and R⁴ join to form a ring, E is preferably -N(R⁴)- and E' is preferably a bond.

R⁴ and R^4' are independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, heteroalkyl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, heteroaryl and heteroarylalkyl. Prefeπed are hydrogen, alkyl, heteroalkyl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, heteroaryl and heteroarylalkyl.

L and L' are independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, heteroalkyl, haloalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, -C(=O)R⁵, - C(=O)OR⁵, -C(=O)NR⁵R^5' and -SO2R⁵. In those embodiments where L and R⁴ do not join to form a ring, L is preferably selected from hydrogen, alkyl, heteroalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, -C(=O)R⁵, -C(=O)OR⁵, -C(=O)NR⁵R^5' and -SO2R⁵; and L' is hydrogen. In those embodiments where L and R⁴ join to form a ring, L is preferably selected from alkyl, heteroalkyl, C(O)R⁵, C(O)OR⁵, C(O)NR⁵R^5', SO2R⁵; and L' is hydrogen.

R⁵ and R^5' are independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, heteroalkyl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, heteroaryl and heteroarylalkyl. Prefeπed are hydrogen, alkyl, heteroalkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, heteroaryl and heteroarylalkyl.

Alternatively, L and R⁴ join to form an optionally substituted heterocyclic ring containing from 3 to 8 ring atoms of which from 1 to 3 are heteroatoms. Alternatively, L and L' join to form an optionally substituted cycloalkyl containing from 3 to 8 ring atoms or an optionally substituted hetercycloalkyl containing from 3 to 8 ring atoms of which from 1 to 3 are heteroatoms. In such embodiments, where E and E' are bonded to the same ring carbon atom of A, the resulting ring is a spiro moiety on A. Prefeπed spiro moieties are heterocyclcoalkyls. In such embodiments, where E and E' are bonded to different ring carbon atoms of A, the resulting ring is fused to A. Prefeπed fused rings are heterocycloalkyls.

G is selected from -S-, -O-, -N(R⁶)-, -C(R⁶)=C(R^6')-, -N=C(R⁶)-, and -N=N- and is preferably -S- or -C(R⁶)=C(R^6')-. R⁶ and R^6' each is independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, heteroalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, cycloalkyl and heterocycloalkyl; and preferably is hydrogen or alkyl.

Z is selected from cycloalkyl and heterocycloalkyl; -J-(CR⁷R⁷')_βR⁸; -NR¹⁰R^10'; and

p_referred is where Z is -J-(CR⁷R⁷')_βR⁸; -NR¹⁰R¹⁰'; and Most prefeπed is where Z is G" (CR¹⁴R¹⁴ )_C-D-T

When Z is cycloalkyl or heterocycloalkyl, prefeπed is where Z is an optionally substituted piperidine or piperazine.

When Z is -J-(CR⁷R^7')_αR⁸, a is from 0 to about 4, preferably 0 or 1. J is selected from -

C≡C-, -CH=CH-, -N=N-, -O-, -S- and -SO₂-. Prefeπed is where J is -C≡C-, -CH=CH-, -

N=N-, -O- or -S-; more prefeπed are -C≡C-, -CH=CH- and -N=N-. R⁷ and R^7' each is independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, heteroalkyl, heteroaryl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, halogen, haloalkyl, hydroxy, and alkoxy preferably each R⁷ is hydrogen and each R^7' is independently hydrogen or lower alkyl. R⁸ is selected from aryl, heteroaryl, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, heteroalkyl, haloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl and cycloalkyl; preferably R⁸ is aryl, heteroaryl, heterocycloalkyl or cycloalkyl. However, if J is -C≡C- or - CH=CH-, then R⁸ may also be selected from -C(=O)NR⁹R^9' where (i) R⁹ and R^9' are independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, cycloalkyl, and heterocycloalkyl, or (ii) R⁹ and R^9', together with the nitrogen atom to which they are bonded, join to form an optionally substituted heterocyclic ring containing from 5 to 8 (preferably 5 or 6) ring atoms of which from 1 to 3 (preferably 1 or 2) are heteroatoms.

When Z is -NR¹⁰R^10', R¹⁰ and R^10' each is independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, heteroalkyl, haloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, cycloalkyl, heteroalkyl and -C(O)-Q- (CRⁿR^u')bRⁿ; preferably R¹⁰ is hydrogen and R^10' is -C(O)-Q-(CRⁿR^n')Z_>R¹². When R¹⁰ or R^10' is -C(O)-Q-(CR^uRⁿ')₄R¹², b is from 0 to about 4; b is preferably 0 or 1, more preferably 0. Q is selected from a covalent bond and -N(R¹³)-; Q is preferably a covalent bond. Each R¹¹ and R^11' is independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, heteroalkyl, heteroaryl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, halogen, haloalkyl, hydroxy, and alkoxy; preferably each Rⁿ is hydrogen and each R¹¹' is independently hydrogen or lower alkyl. R¹² and R¹³ (i) each is independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, heteroalkyl, haloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, cycloalkyl, and heterocycloalkyl, or (ii) R¹² and R¹³, together with the nitrogen atom to which they are bonded, join to form an optionally substituted heterocyclic ring containing from 5 to 8 (preferably 5 or 6) ring atoms of which from 1 to 3 (preferably 1 or 2) are heteroatoms; preferably R¹² is alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, cycloalkyl or heterocycloalkyl. Alternatively, R¹⁰ and R¹³, together with the nitrogen atoms to which they are bonded, join to form an optionally substituted heterocyclic ring containing from 5 to 8 ring atoms of which from 1 to 3 are heteroatoms.

Alternatively, R¹⁰ and R¹⁰', together with the nitrogen atom to which they are bonded, join to form an optionally substituted heterocyclic ring containing from 5 to 8 (preferably 5 or 6) ring atoms of which from 1 to 3 (preferably 1 or 2) are heteroatoms.

When Z is (refeπed to herein as Formula (A)), A' and J' are independently selected from -CH- and -N-; prefeπed is where A' is -CH and J' is -CH. G' is selected from -S-, -O-, -N(R¹⁵)-, -C(R^I5)=C(R¹⁵')-,-N=C(R¹⁵)-, and -N=N- ; preferably -N=C(R¹⁵)- or -C(R¹⁵)=C(R¹⁵')-. R¹⁵ and R^15' each is independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, heteroalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, cycloalkyl, and heterocycloalkyl; preferably hydrogen or lower alkyl. c is from 0 to about 4, preferably 0 or 1, more preferably 0. Each R¹⁴ and R^14' is independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, heteroalkyl, heteroaryl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, halogen, haloalkyl, hydroxy, and alkoxy; preferably each R¹⁴ is hydrogen and each R¹⁴' is independently hydrogen or lower alkyl. D is selected from a covalent bond, -O-, -SOr_f-, -C(=0)-, -C(=O)N(R^Iβ)-, -N(R¹⁶)-, and -N(R16)C(=O)-; preferably D is a covalent bond, -O-, -S-, -SO , -C(=O)N(R¹⁶)-, -N(R¹⁶)-, and -N(R¹⁶)C(=O)-; more preferably D is a covalent bond or -O-. d is from 0 to 2. R¹⁶ is selected from hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, heteroaryl, heteroalkyl, heteroaryl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, and haloalkyl; R¹⁶ is preferably lower alkyl or aryl. T is -(CR¹⁷R^17')_e-R^iS. e is from 0 to about 4, preferably 0 or 1. Each R¹⁷ and R^17' is independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, heteroalkyl, heteroaryl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, halogen, haloalkyl, hydroxy, alkoxy and aryloxy; preferably each R¹⁷ is hydrogen and each R^17' is independently hydrogen or lower alkyl. R¹⁸ is selected from hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, halogen, heteroalkyl, haloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, cycloalkyl, and heterocycloalkyl; preferably R¹⁸ is lower alkyl, lower heteroalkyl, halogen or aryl. Alternatively, R¹⁷ and R¹⁸, together with the atoms to which they are bonded, join to form an optionally substituted heterocyclic ring containing from 5 to 8 (preferably 5 or 6) atoms of which 1 to 3 (preferably 1 or 2) are heteroatoms. Alternatively, R¹⁵ and R¹⁸, together with the atoms to which they are bonded, join to form an optionally substituted heterocyclic ring containing from 5 to 8 (preferably 5 or 6) atoms of which 1 to 3 (preferably 1 or 2) are heteroatoms. III. Compound Preparation:

The compounds of the invention can be prepared using a variety of procedures. The starting materials used in preparing the compounds of the invention are known, made by known methods, or are commercially available. Particularly prefeπed syntheses are described in the following general reaction schemes. (The R groups used to illustrate the reaction schemes do not necessarily coπelate to the respective R groups used to describe the various aspects of the

Formula I compounds. That is, for example, R in Formula (I) does not represent the same moiety as Ri here). Specific examples for making the compounds of the present invention are set forth in Section VII, below.

Scheme 1

In Scheme 1, the aminoacid Sla is a commercially available material which is available in both enantiomeric forms. It can then be saturated under hydrogenation conditions to give Sib and then converted to tosylate Sic as described in WO 97/22587, published June 26, 1997, which is incorporated by reference herein. A sequence of well known transformations including displacement with sodium azide, hydrogenation to primary amine, amine functionalization and replacement of the boc protecting group with a sulfonyl chloride of choice then allows preparation of structures of type Sid. Alternatively, alcohol Sib can be converted to its relative sulfonamide and then oxidized to ketone Sle with Jones reagent. This then allows access to substituted amines of type Sid, as well as spiroketals of type Slf.

Scheme 2

S2b S2c S2d

Enantioselective alkylation of S2a under phase transfer conditions is a well known method for the preparation of unnatural amino acids and the conjugate addition with enones such as cyclohexenone S2b to give ketones of type S2c, as described by Corey et. al. Tetrahedron Lett. 1998, 5347. The imine S2c can then in turn be deprotected upon treatment with aqueous citric acid and sulfonylated with a sulfonyl chloride of choice to give ketone S2d, which can be functionalized as described in Scheme 1.

Esters of type S3a, which are prepared from protected amino acids and allylic alcohols, have been shown to undergo a Claisen reaπangement under strong base conditions to give entry to new amino acids of type S3b (Hudlicky, et. al J. Org. Chem. 1997, 62 1994). These can then in turn be manipulated as desired by the skilled artisan. One such manipulation is the reduction and deprotection of S3b to give S3c, which provides an enantio- and diastereo-selective route to compounds of the type found in Scheme 2.

Scheme 4

S4b S4e

Esters of type S4c can be prepared under basic conditions by Wittig type coupling of commercially available substrates S4a and S4b. Catalytic hydrogenation then provides amino acids of type S4d. The free amine can then be sulfonylated using conditions well known in the art to give compounds of the type described in this invention. The ketal functionality can also be removed to reveal a ketone functionality which can be functionalized in many ways, including those described in Scheme 1.

These steps may be varied to increase yield of desired product. The skilled artisan will recognize the judicious choice of reactants, solvents, and temperatures is an important component in any successful synthesis. Determination of optimal conditions, etc. is routine. Thus the skilled artisan can make a variety of compounds using the guidance of the schemes above.

It is recognized that the skilled artisan in the art of organic chemistry can readily carry out standard manipulations of organic compounds without further direction; that is, it is well within the scope and practice of the skilled artisan to carry out such manipulations. These include, but are not limited to, reduction of carbonyl compounds to their coπesponding alcohols, oxidations of hydroxyls and the like, acylations, aromatic substitutions, both electrophilic and nucleophilic, etherifϊcations, esterifϊcation and saponification and the like. Examples of these manipulations are discussed in standard texts such as March, Advanced Organic Chemistry (Wiley), Carey and Sundberg, Advanced Organic Chemistry (Vol. 2) and other art that the skilled artisan is aware of. The skilled artisan will also readily appreciate that certain reactions are best carried out when another potentially reactive functionality on the molecule is masked or protected, thus avoiding any undesirable side reactions and/or increasing the yield of the reaction. Often the skilled artisan utilizes protecting groups to accomplish such increased yields or to avoid the undesired reactions. These reactions are found in the literature and are also well within the scope of the skilled artisan. Examples of many of these manipulations can be found for example in T. Greene, Protecting Groups in Organic Synthesis. Of course, amino acids used as starting materials with reactive side chains are preferably blocked to prevent undesired side reactions. The compounds of the invention may have one or more chiral centers. As a result, one may selectively prepare one optical isomer, including diastereomer and enantiomer, over another, for example by chiral starting materials, catalysts or solvents, or may prepare both stereoisomers or both optical isomers, including diastereomers and enantiomers at once (a racemic mixture). Since the compounds of the invention may exist as racemic mixtures, mixtures of optical isomers, including diastereomers and enantiomers, or stereoisomers may be separated using known methods, such as chiral salts, chiral chromatography and the like.

In addition, it is recognized that one optical isomer, including diastereomer and enantiomer, or stereoisomer may have favorable properties over the other. Thus when disclosing and claiming the invention, when one racemic mixture is disclosed, it is clearly contemplated that both optical isomers, including diastereomers and enantiomers, or stereoisomers substantially free of the other are disclosed and claimed as well.

IV. Methods of use:

Metalloproteases (MPs) found in the body operate, in part, by breaking down the extracellular matrix, which comprises extracellular proteins and glycoproteins. Inhibitors of metalloproteases are useful in treating diseases caused, at least in part, by the breakdown of such proteins and glycoproteins. These proteins and glycoproteins play an important role in maintaining the size, shape, structure and stability of tissue in the body. Thus, MPs are intimately involved in tissue remodeling.

As a result of this activity, MPs have been said to be active in many disorders involving either the: (1) breakdown of tissues including opthalmic diseases; degenerative diseases, such as arthritis, multiple sclerosis and the like; and metastasis or mobility of tissues in the body; or (2) remodeling of tissues including cardiac disease, fibrotic disease, scaπing, benign hyperplasia, and the like.

The compounds of the present invention prevent or treat disorders, diseases and/or unwanted conditions which are characterized by unwanted or elevated activity by MPs. For example, the compounds can be used to inhibit MPs which:

1. destroy structural proteins (i.e. the proteins that maintain tissue stability and structure); 2. interfere in inter/intracellular signaling, including those implicated in cytokine up- regulation, and/or cytokine processing and/or inflammation, tissue degradation and other maladies [Mohler KM, et al, Nature 370 (1994) 218-220, Gearing AJH, et al, Nature 370 (1994) 555-557 McGeehan GM, et al, Nature 370 (1994) 558-561]; and 3. facilitate processes which are undesired in the subject being treated, for example, the processes of sperm maturation, egg fertilization and the like.

As used herein, an "MP related disorder" or "MP related disease" is one that involves unwanted or elevated MP activity in the biological manifestation of the disease or disorder; in the biological cascade leading to the disorder; or as a symptom of the disorder. This "involvement" of the MP includes :

1. The unwanted or elevated MP activity as a "cause" of the disorder or biological manifestation, whether the activity is elevated genetically, by infection, by autoimmunity, trauma, biomechanical causes, lifestyle [e.g. obesity] or by some other cause;

2. The MP as part of the observable manifestation of the disease or disorder. That is, the disease or disorder is measurable in terms of the increased MP activity. From a clinical standpoint, unwanted or elevated MP levels indicate the disease, however, MPs need not be the "hallmark" of the disease or disorder; or

3. The unwanted or elevated MP activity is part of the biochemical or cellular cascade that results or relates to the disease or disorder. In this respect, inhibition of the MP activity interrupts the cascade, and thus controls the disease.

The term "treatment" is used herein to mean that, at a minimum, administration of a compound of the present invention mitigates a disease associated with unwanted or elevated MP activity in a mammalian subject, preferably in humans. Thus, the term "treatment" includes: preventing an MP-mediated disease from occuπing in a mammal, particularly when the mammal is predisposed to acquiring the disease, but has not yet been diagnosed with the disease; inl ibiting the MP-mediated disease; and/or alleviating or reversing the MP-mediated disease. Insofar as the methods of the present invention are directed to preventing disease states associated with unwanted MP activity, it is understood that the term "prevent" does not require that the disease state be completely thwarted. (See Webster's Ninth Collegiate Dictionary.) Rather, as used herein, the term preventing refers to the ability of the skilled artisan to identify a population that is susceptible to MP-related disorders, such that administration of the compounds of the present invention may occur prior to onset of the disease. The term does not imply that the disease state be completely avoided. For example, osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common rhueumatological disease with some joint changes radiologically detectable in 80% of people over 55 years of age. Fife, R.S., "A Short History of Osteoarthritis", Osteoarthritis: Diagnosis and Medical/Surgical Management, R.W. Moskowitz, D.S. Howell, V.M. Goldberg and H.J. Mankin Eds., p 11-14 (1992). A common risk factor that increases the incidence of OA is traumatic injury of the joint. Surgical removal of the meniscus following knee injury increases the risk of radiographically detectable OA and this risk increases with time. Roos, H et al. "Knee Osteoarthritis After Menisectomy: Prevalence of Radiographic Changes After Twenty-one Years, Compared with Matched Controls." Arthritis Rheum., Vol 41, pp 687-693; Roos, H et al. "Osteoarthritis of the Knee After Injury to the Anterior Cruciate Ligament or Meniscus: The Influence of Time and Age." Osteoarthritis Cartilege., Vol. 3, pp 261-267 (1995). Thus, this patient population is identifiable and could receive administration of a compound of the present invention before progression of the disease. Thus, progression of OA in such individuals would be "prevented".

Advantageously, many MPs are not distributed evenly throughout the body. Thus, the distribution of MPs expressed in various tissues are often specific to those tissues. For example, the distribution of metalloproteases implicated in the breakdown of tissues in the joints is not the same as the distribution of metalloproteases found in other tissues. Though not essential for activity or efficacy, certain diseases, disorders, and unwanted conditions preferably are treated with compounds that act on specific MPs found in the affected tissues or regions of the body. For example, a compound which displays a higher degree of affinity and inhibition for an MP found in the joints (e.g. chondrocytes) would be prefeπed for treatment of a disease, disorder, or unwanted condition found there than other compounds which are less specific.

In addition, certain inhibitors are more bioavailable to certain tissues than others. Choosing an MP inhibitor which is more bioavailable to a certain tissue and which acts on the specific MPs found in that tissue, provides for specific treatment of the disease, disorder, or unwanted condition. For example, compounds of this invention vary in their ability to penetrate into the central nervous system. Thus, compounds may be selected to produce effects mediated through MPs found specifically outside the central nervous system.

Determination of the specificity of an inhibitor of a specific MP is within the skill of the artisan in that field. Appropriate assay conditions can be found in the literature. Specifically, assays are known for stromelysin and collagenase. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,743,587 references the procedure of Cawston, et al, Anal Biochem (1979) 99:340-345. See also, Knight, C.G. et al, "A Novel Coumarin-Labelled Peptide for Sensitive Continuous Assays of the Matrix Metalloproteases", FEBS Letters. Vol. 296, pp. 263-266 (1992). The use of a synthetic substrate in an assay is described by Weingarten, H, et al, Biochem Biophy Res Comm (1984) 139:1184- 1187. Any standard method for analyzing the breakdown of structural proteins by MPs can, of course, be used. The ability of compounds of the invention to inhibit metalloprotease activity can, of course, be tested in the assays found in the literature, or variations thereof. Isolated metalloprotease enzymes can be used to confirm the inhibiting activity of the invention compounds, or crude extracts which contain the range of enzymes capable of tissue breakdown can be used.

The compounds of this invention are also useful for prophylactic or acute treatment. They are administered in any way the skilled artisan in the fields of medicine or pharmacology would desire. It is immediately apparent to the skilled artisan that prefeπed routes of administration will depend upon the disease state being treated and the dosage form chosen. Prefeπed routes for systemic administration include administration perorally or parenterally.

However, the skilled artisan will readily appreciate the advantage of administering the MP inhibitor directly to the affected area for many diseases, disorders, or unwanted conditions. For example, it may be advantageous to administer MP inhibitors directly to the area of the disease, disorder, or unwanted condition such as in the area affected by surgical trauma (e. g., angioplasty), scaπing, burning (e.g., topical to the skin), or for opthalmic and periodontal indications.

Because the remodeling of bone involves MPs, the compounds of the invention are useful in preventing prosthesis loosening. It is known in the art that over time prostheses loosen, become painful, and may result in further bone injury, thus demanding replacement. The need for replacement of such prostheses includes those such as in, joint replacements (for example hip, knee and shoulder replacements), dental prosthesis, including dentures, bridges and prosthesis secured to the maxilla and/or mandible.

MPs are also active in remodeling of the cardiovascular system (for example, in congestive heart failure). It has been suggested that one of the reasons angioplasty has a higher than expected long term failure rate (reclosure over time) is that MP activity is not desired or is elevated in response to what may be_: recognized by the body as "injury" to the basement membrane of the vessel. Thus regulation of MP activity in indications such as dilated cardiomyopathy, congestive heart failure, atherosclerosis, plaque rupture, reperfusion injury, ischemia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, angioplasty restenosis and aortic aneurysm may increase long term success of any other treatment, or may be a treatment in itself.

In skin care, MPs are implicated in the remodeling or "turnover" of skin. As a result, the regulation of MPs improves treatment of skin conditions including but not limited to, wrinkle repair, regulation and prevention and repair of ultraviolet induced skin damage. Such a treatment includes prophylactic treatment or treatment before the physiological manifestations are obvious. For example, the MP may be applied as a pre-exposure treatment to prevent ultaviolet damage and/or during or after exposure to prevent or minimize post-exposure damage. In addition, MPs are implicated in skin disorders and diseases related to abnormal tissues that result from abnormal turnover, which includes metalloprotease activity, such as epidermolysis bullosa, psoriasis, scleroderma and atopic dermatitis. The compounds of the invention are also useful for treating the consequences of "normal" injury to the skin including scarring or "contraction" of tissue, for example, following burns. MP inhibition is also useful in surgical procedures involving the skin for prevention of scaπing, and promotion of normal tissue growth including in such applications as limb reattachment and refractory surgery (whether by laser or incision). In addition, MPs are related to disorders involving iπegular remodeling of other tissues, such as bone, for example, in otosclerosis and/or osteoporosis, or for specific organs, such as in liver ciπhosis and fibrotic lung disease. Similarly in diseases such as multiple sclerosis, MPs may be involved in the iπegular modeling of blood brain barrier and or myelin sheaths of nervous tissue. Thus regulating MP activity may be used as a strategy in treating, preventing, and controlling such diseases.

MPs are also thought to be involved in many infections, including cytomegalovirus [CMV]; retinitis; HIV, and the resulting syndrome, AIDS.

MPs may also be involved in extra vascularization where suπounding tissue needs to be broken down to allow new blood vessels such as in angiofibroma and hemangioma. Since MPs break down the extracellular matrix, it is contemplated that inhibitors of these enzymes can be used as birth control agents, for example in preventing ovulation, in preventing penetration of the sperm into and through the extracellular milieu of the ovum, implantation of the fertilized ovum and in preventing sperm maturation.

In addition they are also contemplated to be useful in preventing or stopping premature labor and delivery.

Since MPs are implicated in the inflammatory response and in the processing of cytokines, the compounds are also useful as anti-inflammatories, for use in disease where inflammation is prevalent including, inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, pancreatitis, diverticulitis, asthma or related lung disease, rheumatoid arthritis, gout and Reiter's Syndrome.

Where autoimmunity is the cause of the disorder, the immune response often triggers MP and cytokine activity. Regulation of MPs in treating such autoimmune disorders is a useful treatment strategy. Thus MP inhibitors can be used for treating disorders including, lupus erythmatosis, ankylosing spondylitis, and autoimmune keratitis. Sometimes the side effects of autoimmune therapy result in exacerbation of other conditions mediated by MPs, here MP inhibitor therapy is effective as well, for example, in autoimmune-therapy-induced fibrosis.

In addition, other fibrotic diseases lend themselves to this type of therapy, including pulmonary disease, bronchitis, emphysema, cystic fibrosis, acute respiratory distress syndrome (especially the acute phase response).

Where MPs are implicated in the undesired breakdown of tissue by exogenous agents, these can be treated with MP inhibitors. For example, they are effective as rattle snake bite antidote, as anti-vessicants, in treating allergic inflammation, septicemia and shock. In addition, they are useful as antiparasitics (e.g., in malaria) and antiinfectives. For example, they are thought to be useful in treating or preventing viral infection, including infection which would result in herpes, "cold" (e.g., rhinoviral infection), meningitis, hepatitis, HIV infection and AIDS.

MP inhibitors are also thought to be useful in treating Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), muscular dystrophy, complications resulting from or arising out of diabetes, especially those involving loss of tissue viability, coagulation, Graft vs. Host disease, leukemia, cachexia, anorexia, proteinuria, and perhaps regulation of hair growth.

For some diseases, conditions or disorders MP inhibition is contemplated to be a prefeπed method of treatment. Such diseases, conditions or disorders include, arthritis (including osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis), cancer (especially the prevention or aπest of tumor growth and metastasis), ocular disorders (especially corneal ulceration, lack of corneal healing, macular degeneration, and pterygium), and gum disease (especially periodontal disease, and gingivitis)

Compounds prefeπed for, but not limited to, the treatment of arthritis (including osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis) are those compounds that are selective for the matrix metalloproteases and the disintegrin metalloproteases. Compounds prefeπed for, but not limited to, the treatment of cancer (especially the prevention or arrest of tumor growth and metastasis) are those compounds that preferentially inhibit gelatinases or type IV collagenases.

Compounds prefeπed for, but not limited to, the treatment of ocular disorders (especially corneal ulceration, lack of corneal healing, macular degeneration, and pterygium) are those compounds that broadly inhibit metalloproteases. Preferably these compounds are administered topically, more preferably as a drop or gel.

Compounds prefeπed for, but not limited to, the treatment of gum disease (especially periodontal disease, and gingivitis) are those compounds that preferentially inhibit collagenases.

V. Compositions: The compositions of the invention comprise:

(a) a safe and effective amount of a compound of the invention; and

(b) a pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier.

As discussed above, numerous diseases are known to be mediated by excess or undesired metalloprotease activity. These include tumor metastasis, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, skin inflammation, ulcerations, particularly of the cornea, reaction to infection, periodontitis and the like. Thus, the compounds of the invention are useful in therapy with regard to conditions involving this unwanted activity.

The invention compounds can therefore be formulated into pharmaceutical compositions for use in treatment or prophylaxis of these conditions. Standard pharmaceutical formulation techniques are used, such as those disclosed in Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, Mack Publishing Company, Easton, Pa., latest edition.

A "safe and effective amount" of a Formula (I) compound is an amount that is effective, to inhibit metalloproteases at the site(s) of activity, in an animal, preferably a mammal, more preferably a human subject, without undue adverse side effects (such as toxicity, irritation, or allergic response), commensurate with a reasonable benefit/risk ratio when used in the manner of this invention. The specific "safe and effective amount" will, obviously, vary with such factors as the particular condition being treated, the physical condition of the patient, the duration of treatment, the nature of concurrent therapy (if any), the specific dosage form to be used, the carrier employed, the solubility of the Formula (I) compound therein, and the dosage regimen desired for the composition.

In addition to the subject compound, the compositions of the subject invention contain a pharmaceutically-acceptable caπier. The term "pharmaceutically-acceptable caπier", as used herein, means one or more compatible solid or liquid filler diluents or encapsulating substances which are suitable for administration to an animal, preferably a mammal, more preferably a human. The term "compatible", as used herein, means that the components of the composition are capable of being commingled with the subject compound, and with each other, in a manner such that there is no interaction which would substantially reduce the pharmaceutical efficacy of the composition under ordinary use situations. Pharmaceutically-acceptable carriers must, of course, be of sufficiently high purity and sufficiently low toxicity to render them suitable for administration to the animal, preferably a mammal, more preferably a human being treated.

Some examples of substances which can serve as pharmaceutically-acceptable carriers or components thereof are sugars, such as lactose, glucose and sucrose; starches, such as corn starch and potato starch; cellulose and its derivatives, such as sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, and methyl cellulose; powdered tragacantb; malt; gelatin; talc; solid lubricants, such as stearic acid and magnesium stearate; calcium sulfate; vegetable oils, such as peanut oil, cottonseed oil, sesame oil, olive oil, corn oil and oil of theobroma; polyols such as propylene glycol, glycerine, sorbitol, mannitol, and polyethylene glycol; alginic acid; emulsifiers, such as the Tweens®; wetting agents, such sodium lauryl sulfate; coloring agents; flavoring agents; tableting agents, stabilizers; antioxidants; preservatives; pyrogen-free water; isotonic saline; and phosphate buffer solutions.

The choice of a pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier to be used in conjunction with the subject compound is basically determined by the way the compound is to be administered. If the subject compound is to be injected, the prefeπed pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier is sterile, physiological saline, with blood-compatible suspending agent, the pH of which has been adjusted to about 7.4.

In particular, pharmaceutically-acceptable earners for systemic administration include sugars, starches, cellulose and its derivatives, malt, gelatin, talc, calcium sulfate, vegetable oils, synthetic oils, polyols, alginic acid, phosphate buffer solutions, emulsifiers, isotonic saline, and pyrogen-free water. Preferred caπiers for parenteral administration include propylene glycol, ethyl oleate, pyrrolidone, ethanol, and sesame oil. Preferably, the pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier, in compositions for parenteral administration, comprises at least about 90% by weight of the total composition. The compositions of this invention are preferably provided in unit dosage form. As used herein, a "unit dosage form" is a composition of this invention containing an amount of a Formula (I) compound that is suitable for administration to an animal, preferably a mammal, more preferably a human subject, in a single dose, according to good medical practice. These compositions preferably contain from about 5 mg (milligrams) to about 1000 mg, more preferably from about 10 mg to about 500 mg, more preferably from about 10 mg to about 300 mg, of a Formula (I) compound.

The compositions of this invention may be in any of a variety of forms, suitable (for example) for oral, rectal, topical, nasal, ocular or parenteral administration. Depending upon the particular route of administration desired, a variety of pharmaceutically-acceptable carriers well-known in the art may be used. These include solid or liquid fillers, diluents, hydrotropes, surface-active agents, and encapsulating substances. Optional pharmaceutically-active materials may be included, which do not substantially interfere with the inhibitory activity of the Formula (I) compound. The amount of carrier employed in conjunction with the Formula (I) compound is sufficient to provide a practical quantity of material for administration per unit dose of the Formula (I) compound. Techniques and compositions for making dosage forms useful in the methods of this invention are described in the following references, all incorporated by reference herein: Modern Pharmaceutics, Chapters 9 and 10 (Banker & Rhodes, editors, 1979); Lieberman et al, Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms: Tablets (1981); and Ansel. Introduction to Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms 2d Edition (1976).

Various oral dosage forms can be used, including such solid forms as tablets, capsules, granules and bulk powders. These oral forms comprise a safe and effective amount, usually at least about 5%, and preferably from about 25% to about 50%, of the Formula (I) compound. Tablets can be compressed, tablet triturates, enteric-coated, sugar- coated, film-coated, or multiple-compressed, containing suitable binders, lubricants, diluents, disintegrating agents, coloring agents, flavoring agents, flow-inducing agents, and melting agents. Liquid oral dosage forms include aqueous solutions, emulsions, suspensions, solutions and/or suspensions reconstituted from non-effervescent granules, and effervescent preparations reconstituted from effervescent granules, containing suitable solvents, preservatives, emulsifying agents, suspending agents, diluents, sweeteners, melting agents, coloring agents and flavoring agents.

The pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier suitable for the preparation of unit dosage forms for peroral administration are well-known in the art. Tablets typically comprise conventional pharmaceutically-compatible adjuvants as inert diluents, such as calcium carbonate, sodium carbonate, mannitol, lactose and cellulose; binders such as starch, gelatin and sucrose; disintegrants such as starch, alginic acid and croscarmelose; lubricants such as magnesium stearate, stearic acid and talc. Glidants such as silicon dioxide can be used to improve flow characteristics of the powder mixture. Coloring agents, such as the FD&C dyes, can be added for appearance. Sweeteners and flavoring agents, such as aspartame, saccharin, menthol, peppermint, and fruit flavors, are useful adjuvants for chewable tablets. Capsules typically comprise one or more solid diluents disclosed above! The selection of carrier components depends on secondary considerations like taste, cost, and shelf stability, which are not critical for the purposes of the subject invention, and can be readily made by a person skilled in the art. Peroral compositions also include liquid solutions, emulsions, suspensions, and the like.

The pharmaceutically-acceptable earners suitable for preparation of such compositions are well known in the art. Typical components of carriers for syrups, elixirs, emulsions and suspensions include ethanol, glycerol, propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, liquid sucrose, sorbitol and water. For a suspension, typical suspending agents include methyl cellulose, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, Avicel RC-591, tragacanth and sodium alginate; typical wetting agents include lecithin and polysorbate 80; and typical preservatives include methyl paraben and sodium benzoate. Peroral liquid compositions may also contain one or more components such as sweeteners, flavoring agents and colorants disclosed above. Such compositions may also be coated by conventional methods, typically with pH or time-dependent coatings, such that the subject compound is released in the gastrointestinal tract in the vicinity of the desired topical application, or at various times to extend the desired action. Such dosage forms typically include, but are not limited to, one or more of cellulose acetate phthalate, polyvinylacetate phthalate, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose phthalate, ethyl cellulose, Eudragit coatings, waxes and shellac.

Compositions of the subject invention may optionally include other drug actives. Other compositions useful for attaining systemic delivery of the subject compounds include sublingual, buccal and nasal dosage forms. Such compositions typically comprise one or more of soluble filler substances such as sucrose, sorbitol and mannitol; and binders such as acacia, microcrystalline cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose and hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose. Glidants, lubricants, sweeteners, colorants, antioxidants and flavoring agents disclosed above may also be included.

The compositions of this invention can also be administered topically to a subject, e.g., by the direct laying on or spreading of the composition on the epidermal or epithelial tissue of the subject, or transdermally via a "patch". Such compositions include, for example, lotions, creams, solutions, gels and solids. These topical compositions preferably comprise a safe and effective amount, usually at least about 0.1%, and preferably from about 1% to about 5%, of the Formula (I) compound. Suitable carriers for topical administration preferably remain in place on the skin as a continuous film, and resist being removed by perspiration or immersion in water. Generally, the carrier is organic in nature and capable of having dispersed or dissolved therein the Formula (I) compound. The carrier may include pharmaceutically-acceptable emollients, emulsifiers, thickening agents, solvents and the like.

VI. Methods of Administration:

This invention also provides methods of treating or preventing disorders associated with excess or undesired metalloprotease activity in a human or other animal subject, by administering a safe and effective amount of a Formula (I) compound to said subject. As used herein, a "disorder associated with excess or undesired metalloprotease activity" is any disorder characterized by degradation of matrix proteins. The methods of the invention are useful in treating or preventing disorders described above.

Compositions of this invention can be administered topically or systemically. Systemic application includes any method of introducing Formula (I) compound into the tissues of the body, e.g., intra-articular (especially in treatment of rheumatoid arthritis), intrathecal, epidural, intramuscular, transdermal, intravenous, intraperitoneal, subcutaneous, sublingual, rectal, and oral administration. The Formula (I) compounds of the present invention are preferably administered orally.

The specific dosage of inhibitor to be administered, as well as the duration of treatment, and whether the treatment is topical or systemic are interdependent. The dosage and treatment regimen will also depend upon such factors as the specific Formula (I) compound used, the treatment indication, the ability of the Formula (I) compound to reach minimum inhibitory concentrations at the site of the metalloprotease to be inhibited, the personal attributes of the subject (such as weight), compliance with the treatment regimen, and the presence and severity of any side effects of the treatment.

Typically, for a human adult (weighing approximately 70 kilograms), from about

5 mg to about 3000 mg, more preferably from about 5 mg to about 1000 mg, more preferably from about 10 mg to about 100 mg, of Formula (I) compound are administered per day for systemic administration. It is understood that these dosage ranges are by way of example only, and that daily administration can be adjusted depending on the factors listed above.

A preferred method of administration for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis is oral or parenterally via intra-articular injection. As is known and practiced in the art, all formulations for parenteral administration must be sterile. For mammals, especially humans,

(assuming an approximate body weight of 70 kilograms) individual doses of from about 10 mg to about 1000 mg are prefeπed.

A preferred method of systemic administration is oral Individual doses of from about 10 mg to about 1000 mg, preferably from about 10 mg to about 300 mg are preferred.

Topical administration can be used to deliver the Formula (I) compound systemically, or to treat a subject locally. The amounts of Formula (I) compound to be topically administered depends upon such factors as skin sensitivity, type and location of the tissue to be treated, the composition and carrier (if any) to be administered, the particular Formula (I) compound to be administered, as well as the particular disorder to be treated and the extent to which systemic (as distinguished from local) effects are desired. The inhibitors of the invention can be targeted to specific locations where the metalloprotease is accumulated by using targeting ligands. For example, to focus the inhibitors to metalloprotease contained in a tumor, the inhibitor is conjugated to an antibody or fragment thereof which is immunoreactive with a tumor marker as is generally understood in the preparation of immunotoxins in general. The targeting ligand can also be a ligand suitable for a receptor which is present on the tumor. Any targeting ligand which specifically reacts with a marker for the intended target tissue can be used. Methods for coupling the invention compound to the targeting ligand are well known and are similar to those described below for coupling to carrier. The conjugates are formulated and administered as described above. For localized conditions, topical administration is prefeπed. For example, to treat ulcerated cornea, direct application to the affected eye may employ a formulation as eyedrops or aerosol. For corneal treatment, the compounds of the invention can also be formulated as gels, drops or ointments, or can be incorporated into collagen or a hydrophilic polymer shield. The materials can also be inserted as a contact lens or reservoir or as a subconjunctival formulation. For treatment of skin inflammation, the compound is applied locally and topically, in a gel, paste, salve or ointment. For treatment of oral diseases, the compound may be applied locally in a gel, paste, mouth wash, or implant. The mode of treatment thus reflects the nature of the condition and suitable formulations for any selected route are available in the art.

In all of the foregoing, of course, the compounds of the invention can be administered alone or as mixtures, and the compositions may further include additional drugs or excipients as appropriate for the indication.

Some of the compounds of the invention also inhibit bacterial metalloproteases. Some bacterial metalloproteases may be less dependent on the stereochemistry of the inhibitor, whereas substantial differences are found between diastereomers in their ability to inactivate the mammalian proteases. Thus, this pattern of activity can be used to distinguish between the mammalian and bacterial enzymes.

VII. Examples - Compound Preparation

The following abbreviations are used herein:

MeOH: methanol Et3N: triethylamine EtOAc: ethylacetate Et2θ: diethylether

Ph: phenyl boc: t-butyloxycarbonyl

DMF: N,N-dimethylformamide acac: acetyl acetate

DME: dimethoxyethane dil: dilute cone: concentrated wrt: with respect to rt: room temperature HO Ac: acetic acid

DCC: 1,3-Dicyclohexylcarbodiimide HOBT: 1-Hydroxybenzotriazole

The R groups used to illustrate the compound examples do not coπelate to the respective R groups used to describe the various moieties of Formula (I). That is, for example, R¹, R² and R³ used to describe Formula (I) in the Summary of the Invention section and Section II of the Detailed Description do not represent the same moieties as R¹, R², and R³ in this Section VII.

EXAMPLES 1-23

The following substructure and table show the structure of compounds made according to the procedures described in Examples 1-23. In these compounds, with reference to Formula (I), A is cyclohexane, R¹ is -OH and n=0.

Example 1 Preparation of N-{[4'-Methoxy-(l,l'-biphenyl)-4-yI]-sulfonylamino}-(4-hydroxycyclohexan- l-yl)-acetic acid a. (i?)-N-(4-Hydroxycyclohex-l-yl)-aminoacetic acid: The starting D-4-hydroxyphenyl glycene (10 g, 59.8 mmole) is taken in 180 mL of water in the presence of 10 mL of 50% NaOH and 25 g of Raney nickel The mixture is pressurized to about 100 psi of hydrogen at 80°C for 3 days, filtered through celite, and concentrated to about half of the original volume. b. Methyl (R)-N-{[4'-Methoxy-(l,l'-biphenyI)-4-yI]-suIfonyl}-amino-(4-hydroxy-cycIohex- l-yl)-acetic acid: The crude amino acid la solution is diluted with 100 mL of dioxane and 10 mL of triethylamine and treated with [4'-methoxy-(l,l '-biphenyl)-4-yl]-sulfonyl chloride (18.6 g, 65.8 mmole). The resulting solution is stiπed for 12 hr and then concentrated to about half of the original volume and acidified with cone. HCl. The resulting white precipitate is washed with water and dried on a filter. This material is then taken in 150 mL of methanol, treated with 12 mL of thionyl chloride, stiπed for 16 hr., and concentrated to dryness. The crude material is purified by chromatography with EtOAc to give the desired material as a white solid. c. The ester lb (170 mg, 0.39 mmole) is taken in 10 mL of methanol with 1 mL of water and treated with 200 mg of KOH. The resulting mixture is stiπed for 16 hr and then concentrated to dryness. The residue is partitioned between EtOAc and IN HCl. The organic layer is washed with brine, dried over MgSO , filtered and evaporated. The solid residue is recrystallized from EtOAc :hexanes to give the title acid as a white solid.

Example 2 Preparation of (R)-N-{[4'-methoxy-(l,l'-biphenyl)-4-yl]-sulfonyl}-amino-(l,5-dioxa- spiro [5.5] undec-9-yl)-acetic a. Methyl (i?)-7V-{[4'-Methoxy-(l,l'-biphenyl)-4-yl]-sulfonyl}-amino-(4-oxocyclohex-l-yl)- acetate: The starting alcohol lb (3.8 g, 8.78 mmole) is taken in 200 mL of acetone and treated dropwise with Jones reagent (2.5 mL, 8 M, 22 mmole). The resulting solution is stiπed for 3 hr. and then quenched with 10 mL of isopropyl alcohol. The resulting slurry is filtered through a plug of silica with EtOAc to give the desired compound as a white solid. b. Methyl (i-)-N-{[4'-Methoxy-(l,l'-biphenyl)-4-yl]-suIfonyl}-amino-(l,5-dioxa- spiro[5.5]undec-9-yl)-acetate: The starting ketone 2a (343 mg, 0.80 mmole) is taken in 25 mL of benzene and treated with 1,3-propanediol (0.13 mL, 1.6 mmole) in the presence of catalytic αra-toluenesulfonic acid and activated 4 A molecular sieves. The mixture is refluxed for 16 hr., filtered through celite and evaporated. The residue is purified over flash silica with hexanes:EtOAc (1:1) to give a colorless oil. c. The ester 2b (28 mg, 0.058 mmole) is taken in 1 mL of methanolwater (10:0) and treated with KOH (59 mg, 1.05 mmole). The resulting mixture is stiπed for 16 hr and then concentrated to dryness. The residue is taken in EtOAc and washed with IN HCl, dried over MgSO₄, filtered and evaporated to give a white solid.

Example 3 Preparation of (Z?)-N-{[4'-bromo-(l,l '-biphenyl)-4-yl]-sulfonyl}-amino-(l,5-dioxa- spiro[5.5]undec-9-yl)-acetic a. Methyl (R)-N-{[4'-bromo-(l,l'-biphenyI)-4-yl]-sulfonyl}-amino-(4-hydroxy-cycIohex-l- yl)-acetate: The starting glycene la is coupled with [4'-bromo-(l,l'-biphenyl)-4-yl]-sulfonyl chloride as described for compound lb. b. The starting alcohol 3b is carried forward to the title acid as described by the sequence of reactions for compounds 2a-c. Example 4 Preparation of (l,4-Dioxa-spiro[4.5]dec-8-yI)-N-{[4'-Methoxy-(l,l'-biphenyl)-4-yl]- sulfonyl}-amino-acetic acid. a. N-BenzyloxycarbonyIamino-(l,4-dioxa-spiro[4.5]dec-8-ylidene)-acetic acid methyl ester. To a solution of 1 ,4-dioxa-spiro[4.5]decan-8-one (1.56 g) and benzyloxycarbonylamino- (dimethoxy-phosphoryl)-acetic acid methyl ester (3.31 g) in dichloromethane (20 mL) cooled to 0°C is added dropwise diazabicycloundecane (1.82 g). The resulting mixture is stiπed at room temperature for 5 days. The solvent is removed under reduced pressure and the mixture is dissolved in EtOAc. The organic extracts are washed with water followed by brine, then dried (Na2SO4). The crude product obtained after evaporation of solvent is purified by chromatography on silica gel using 3/2 hexane/EtOAc to provide the desired product as a white solid. b. Amino-(l,4-dioxa-spiro[4.5]dec-8-yl)-acetic acid methyl ester. The starting protected amine 4a (1.81 g) is dissolved in methanol (20 mL) and 10% palladium on carbon (200 mg) is added. The flask is flushed with hydrogen and the reaction mixture is stiπed at room temperature for 12 hours. The reaction mixture is filtered through a Celite plug and the solvent is evaporated under reduced pressure to give the desired product which is used in the following reaction without purification. c) Methyl (l,4-dioxa-spiro[4.5]dec-8-yl)-N-{[4'-Methoxy-(l,l'-biphenyl)-4-yl]-sulfonyl}- amino-acetate: To a solution of starting amine 4b (572 mg) in dichloromethane (10 mL) is added triethylamine (0.5 mL) followed by 4'-methoxy-biphenyl-4-sulfonyl chloride (850 mg). The reaction mixture is stiπed overnight at room temperature, washed sequentially with IN hydrochloric acid, water, 5% aqueous sodium bicarbonate and brine, then dried (Na2SO4). The crude product obtained after evaporation of solvent is purified by chromatography on silica gel using 3/2 hexane/EtOAc to provide the desired product as a colorless solid. d) To a solution of ester 4c (390 mg) in tetrahydrofuran (10 mL) is added 50% sodium hydroxide (1.0 mL) and the reaction mixture is stiπed overnight at room temperature. The reaction mixture is concentrated under reduced pressure, diluted with ethyl acetate and washed successively with IN hydrochloric acid, water, brine, and then dried (Na2SO4). The crude product obtained after evaporation of solvent is purified by crystallization from methanol/water to give the title acid as a white solid.

Example 5

Preparation of [Spiro-(l,3-benzodioxole-2,l'-cyclohex-4'-yl]-N-{[4'-Methoxy-(l,l'- biphenyl)-4-yl]-sulfonyl}-amino-acetic acid. The starting ketone 2a is condensed with 1,2-hydroxybenzene as described for compound 2b and then hydrolyzed as described for compound 2c.

Example 6 Preparation of 2-(l,4-Dioxa-spiro[4.5]dec-8-yl)-2N-{[4'-Methoxy-(l,l '-biphenyl)-4-yl]- sulfonyl}-amino-propionic acid. a. Methyl 2-(l,4-dioxa-spiro[4.5]dec-8-yl)-2N-{[4'-Methoxy-(l,l'-biphenyl)-4-yl]-sulfonyl}- amino-propionate. Sulfonamide 4c (3 g, 6.3 mmole) is taken in 20 mL of THF, cooled to -78^°C, and treated dropwise via cannula with a solution of lithium diisopropylamide (10 mL, 1.57 M in THF, 15.7 mmole). The resulting solution is stiπed at -78^°C for 30 min., then warmed to -10 for 10 min., and recooled to -78°C. Methyl iodide (3.9 mL, 60.3 mmole) is added and the resulting solution is stiπed for 1 hr and then warmed to -10°C for 15 min. and quenched with saturated NH₄Cl This mixture is then partitioned between water and EtOAc. Combined organic layers are then washed with brine and then dried over MgSO₄, filtered and evaporated. The crude material is purified via reverse phase HPLC to give the desired material. b. The starting ester 5a (300 mg, 0.62 mmole) is taken in 10 mL of pyridine in the presence of Lithium Iodide (830 mg, 6.2 mmole) and brought to reflux for 16 hr. The mixture is then diluted in EtOAc and washed 3 times with IN HCl, 1 time with brine, dried over MgSO₄, filtered and evaporated to give a crude solid which is recrystallized from hexanes:EtOAc.

Example 7 Preparation of 2-(l,4-Dioxa-spiro[4.5]dec-8-yl)-2/V-{[4'-Methoxy-(l,l'-biphenyl)-4-yl]- sulfonyl}-aminopent-4-enoic acid. The starting sulfonamide 4c is alkylated with allyl bromide and hydrolyzed for compound 6a-b to give the title acid.

Example 8 Preparation of N-{[4'-Methoxy-(l,l'-biphenyl)-4-yl]-sulfonylamino}-[4-(N-benzyl-amino)- cyclohexan-l-yI]-acetic acid a. Methyl (i?)-N-{[4'-Methoxy-(l,l'-biphenyl)-4-yl]-sulfonyl}-amino-[4-(N-benzyl-amino)- cyclohex-l-yl]-acetate: The ketone 2c (1.5 g, 3.47 mmole) is taken in 10 mL of methanol which is buffered with HOAc/NaOAc and treated with benzyl amine (0.35 mL, 3.2 mmole) and NaCNBH₃ (218 mg, 3.47 mmole). The resulting solution is stiπed for 16 hr and then partitioned between 5% Na₂CO₃ and EtOAc. The organic layer is washed with brine, dried over MgSO₄, filtered and evaporated. The residue is purified over flash silica with EtOAc to give the desired compound as a 2:1 mixture of diastereomers. b. The starting ester 8a (300 mg, 0.57) is taken in 10 mL of methanolwater (10:1), treated with KOH (600 mg, 10.4 mmole), stiπed for two days, evaporated and partitioned between EtOAc and IN HCl. A white solid is formed at the interface which is filtered and dried under vacuum to give the title acid as a white solid. Example 9

Preparation ofN-{[4'-Methoxy-(l,l'-biphenyl)-4-yl]-sulfonylamino}-[4-(7V-benzyl-N- acetyamino)-cyclohexan-l-yl]-acetic acid a. Methyl (Λ)-N-{[4'-Methoxy-(l,l'-biphenyI)-4-yl]-sulfonyl}-amino-[4-(N-benzyl-N- acetylamino)-cyclohex-l-yl]-acetate: The starting benzyl amine 8a (500 mg, 0.96 mmole) is taken in 2 mL of CH₂C1₂ in the presence of 0.3 mL of NEt₃ and treated with acetyl chloride (0.08 mL, 1.15 mmole) and the resulting solution is stiπed for 3 hr and then partitioned between IN HCl and EtOAc. The organic layer is washed with brine, dried over MgSO₄, filtered and evaporated to give a solid which is purified over flash silica with hexanes:EtOAc (3:7) to give a white solid. b. The ester 9a is hydrolyzed as described for compound 4d.

Example 10

Preparation ofN-{[4'-Methoxy-(l,l'-biphenyl)-4-yl]-sulfonylamino}-[4-(N-benzyl-N- methanesulfonylamino)-cyclohex-l-yl]-acetic acid

The starting benzyl amine 8a is coupled with methanesulfonyl chloride and then hydrolyzed as described for compounds 8a-b.

Example 11

Preparation ofN-{[4'-Methoxy-(l,l'-biphenyI)-4-yI]-sulfonylamino}-(4-N- methoxymethylacetylamino-cyclohexan-l-yl)-acetic acid a. N-{[4'-Methoxy-(l,l'-biphenyI)-4-yI]-suIfonyIamino}-(4-N-amino-cycIohexan-l-yI)- acetic acid: The starting benzylamine 8a (1.6 g, 3.1 mmole) is taken in 50 mL of methanol in the presence of 600 mg of Pearlman's catalyst and shaken under 45 psi of hydrogen for 3 days. The mixture is then purged with nitrogen, filtered through a pad of celite and evaporated to give a solid which is carried forward without purification. b. The starting amine 11a is coupled with 3-methoxypropanyl chloride and hydrolyzed as described for compounds 9a-b.

Example 12

N-{[4'-Methoxy-(l,l'-biphenyl)-4-yl]-sulfonylamino}-(4-N-methoxymethylacetyl-N- methylamino-cyclohexan-l-yl)-acetic acid a. Methyl N-{[4'-Methoxy-(l,l'-biphenyl)-4-yl]-sulfonylamino}-(4-N-methylamino- cyclohexan-l-yl)-acetate: The ketone 2c is condensed with methyl amine as described for compound 8a. b. The methyl amine 12a is coupled to methoxypropanyl chloride and hydrolyzed as described for compounds 9a-b.

Example 13 N-{[4'-Methoxy-(l,l'-biphenyl)-4-yl]-sulfonylamino}-(4-iV-acetyl-iV-methylamino- cyclohexan-l-yl)-acetic acid

The methylamine 12a is acylated and hydrolyzed as described for compounds 9a-b to give the title acid.

Example 14 N-{[4'-Methoxy-(l,l'-biphenyI)-4-yI]-suIfonyIamino}-(4-N-dimethylacetyI-N-methyI- aminocyclohexan-l-yl)-acetic acid

The methylamine 12a is acylated and hydrolyzed as described for compounds 9a-b to give the title acid.

Example 15 Preparation of N-{[4'-Methoxy-(l,l'-biphenyl)-4-yl]-sulfonylamino}-[4-(morpholin-lN-yl)- cydohexan-l-yl]-acetic acid a. Methyl N-{[4'-Methoxy-(l,l '-biphenyl)-4-yl]-sulfonylamino}-[4-(morpholin-liV-yl)- cyclohexan-l-yl]-acetate: The free amine 2c (430 mg, 0.99 mmole) is taken in 5 mL of dimethylformamide in the presence of 1 mL of triethylamine, treated with bromoethyl ether (0.15 mL, 1.2 mmole) and heated to 60°C for 16 hr. The resulting solution is then diluted with EtOAc, washed three times with 5% Na₂CO₃, one time with brine, dried over MgSO₄, filtered and evaporated. The residue is purified over flash silica with EtOAc to give a white solid. b. The morpholine 15a (297 mg, 0.59 mmole) is taken in 3 mL of MeOH:THF (1:1), treated with 5 drops of 50% NaOH, stiπed for three hours and concentrated to dryness. The residue is taken in water and filtered through a plug of reverse phase silica first with water and then with water:CH₃CN (1:1). The water:CH₃CN fraction is evaporated to dryness to give the title acid as a white solid. Example 16

Preparation of N-{ [4 '-Methoxy-(l ,1 '-biphenyl)-4-yl] -sulfonylamino}- [4-(morphoIin-l/V-yl)- cydohexan-l-yI]-propionic acid The starting morpholine 15a is methylated as described for compound 6a and then hydrolyzed as described for compound 15b.

Example 17 Preparation of/V-{[4'-Bromo-(l,l'-biphenyl)-4-yl]-sulfonylamino}-[4-(morpholin-lN-yl)- cyc!ohexan-l-yl]-acetic acid

The starting free amine 4b is coupled to [4'-Bromo-(l,l'-biphenyl)-4-yl]-sulfonyl chloride as described for compound 4c and carried forward to the title acid as described for compound 15b.

Example 18 Preparation of N-{[4'-Methoxy-(l,l'-biphenyI)-4-yl]-sulfonylamino}-[4-(2-oxopyrrolidin-lN- yl)-cyc!ohexan-l-yl]-acetic acid a. Methyl N-{[4'-Methoxy-(l,l'-biphenyl)-4-yl]-sulfonylamino}-[4-(morpholin-lN-yl)- cyclohexan-l-yl]-acetate: The free amine 11a (1.13 g, 2.6 mmole) is taken in 10 mL of dimethylformamide in the presence of 2 mL of triethylamine, treated with 4-bromobutanyl chloride (0.36 mL, 3.1 mmole) and stiπed at rt for 16 hr. The resulting solution is then diluted with EtOAc, washed with IN HCl and brine, dried over MgS0₄, filtered and evaporated. The residue is purified over flash silica with hexanes:EtOAc (1:4) to give a solid. b. The lactam 18a is hydrolyzed as described for compound 4d to give the title acid as a white solid.

Example 19 Preparation ofΛ'-{[4'-Methoxy-(l,l^,-biphenyl)-4-yl]-sulfonyIamino}-[4-(2-oxomorpholin- lN-yl)-cyclohexan-l-yl]-acetic acid a. Methyl N-{[4'-Methoxy-(l,l'-biphenyl)-4-yl]-sulfonylamino}-[4-(2-hydroxyethyl-amino)- cyclohexan-l-yl]-acetate: The free amine 11a (938 mg, 2.35 mmole) is alkylated with glycolaldehyde dimer as described for compound 8a to give a solid which is caπied forward without purification. b. Methyl N-{[4'-Methoxy-(l,l'-biphenyl)-4-yl]-sulfonylamino}-[4-(2-oxomorpholin-lN-yl)- cyclohexan-l-yl]-acetate: The amine 19a (745 mg, 1.68 mmole) is acylated with bromoacetyl bromide in DMF as described for compound 9a. The reaction mixture is heated to 65°C for 3 hr to effect cyclization and give the desired oxomorpholine after workup and purification. c. The lactam 18a is hydrolyzed as described for compound 4d to give the title acid as a white solid.

Example 20 Preparation of7V-{[4'-Methoxy-(l,l'-biphenyl)-4-yl]-sulfonylamino}-[4-(37V- methylhydantoin-lN-yl)-cyclohexan-l-yl] -acetic acid a. Methyl N-{[4'-Methoxy-(l,l'-biphenyl)-4-yl]-sulfonylamino}-[4-(N-boc-amino-acetyl)- aminocyclohexan-l-yl]-acetate: The amine 11a (2 g, 4.6 mmole) is taken in 6 mL of CH₂C1₂ in the presence of N-boc-sarcosine (1.14 g, 6.0 mmole) and 60 mg of 4-dimethylaminopyridine at 0°C and treated with dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (1.24 g, 6.0 mmole). The resulting solution is stiπed for 5 min. at 0°C and then 2 days at rt, diluted with EtOAc, washed dil NaHC0₃, washed with brine, dried over MgS0₄, filtered and evaporated. The crude material is chromatographed over flash silica with EtOAc to give the desired material. b. Methyl N-{[4'-Methoxy-(l,l'-biphenyl)-4-yl]-sulfonylamino}-[4-(3iV-methyl-hydantoin- lN-yl)-cyclohexan-l-yl]-acetate: The amine 20a (2.1 g, 3.5 mmole) is taken in 25 mL of CH₂C1₂ and treated with 5 mL of trifluoroacetate. The resulting solution is stiπed for 1 hr and evaporated to dryness. The residue is taken in 20 mL of CH₂C1₂ in the presence of 5 mL of Et₃N and treated with carbonyldiimidazole (1.2 g, 7.2 mmole). The resulting solution is stiπed at rt for 16 hr and then diluted with EtOAc, washed with IN HCl, washed with brine, dried over MgS0₄, filtered and evaporated. The residue is chromatographed over flash silica with EtOAc to give the desired material c. The hydantoin 20b is hydrolyzed as described for compound 4d to give the title acid as a white solid. Example 21

Preparation o N-{[4'-Methoxy-(l,l'-biphenyl)-4-yl]-sulfonyl-amino}-[4-(oxazolidin-2-one-

3N-yl)-cyclohexan-l-yl]-acetic acid a. Methyl N-{[4'-Methoxy-(l,l'-biphenyl)-4-yl]-sulfonyl-amino}-[(2-hydroxyethyl)- aminocyclohexan-l-yl]-acetate: The ketone 2a is condensed with ethanolamine as described for compound 8a. b. Methyl N-{[4'-Methoxy-(l,l'-biphenyl)-4-yl]-sulfonyl-amino}-[4-(oxazolidin-2-one-3N- yl)-cyclohexan-l-yl]-acetate: The hydroxylamine 21a (1 g, 2.1 mmole) is taken in 20 mL of toluene in the presence of 3 mL of NEt₃, treated with carbonyldiimidazole (375 mg, 2.3 mmole) and stiπed for 16 hr at rt. The mixture is then taken in EtOAc, washed with IN HCl, washed with brine, dried over MgS0₄, filtered and evaporated. The mixture is then chromatographed through flash silica with hexanes:EtOAc (2:1 to 1:3) to give two diastereomers of the desired material. c. The ester 21b is hydrolyzed as described for compound 4d to give the title acid as a white solid.

Example 22 Preparation of 7V-{[4'-Methoxy-(l,l'-biphenyl)-4-yl]-sulfonyl-amino}-[4-([l,3]-oxazinan-2- one-3N-yl)-cyclohexan-l-yl]-acetic acid

The ketone 2a is condensed with 3-propanolamine as described for compound 8a and then caπied forward to the title acid as described for compounds 21b-c.

Example 23 Preparation of 7Y-{[4'-Methoxy-(l,l'-biphenyl)-4-yl]-sulfonylamino}-[4-( -sultam-1/V-yl)- cydohexan-l-yl]-acetic acid

The starting amine 11a is coupled to 3-bromopropanesulfonyl chloride as described for compound 18a and then hydrolyzed as described for compound 4d.

EXAMPLES 24-35

The following substructure and table show the structure of compounds made according to the procedures described in Examples 24-35. In these compounds, with reference to Formula (I), A is cyclohexane, R¹ is -OH and n=0.

Example 24

Preparation ofN-{[4'-methoxy-(l,l'-biphenyl)-4-yl]-sulfonyl}-amino-(3-hydroxycyclohexan- l-yl)-acetic acid a. Methyl glycinate benzophenone: The starting glycine methyl ester hydrochloride (20.2 g,

161 mmole) is taken in 250 mL of CH₂C1₂ at RT under N₂ and treated with benzophenone imine

(29.2 g, 161 mmole). The resulting heterogeneous mixture is vigorously stiπed overnight and then filtered through a glass frit to remove ammonium salts. The filtrate is evaporated to dryness to give the desired product as a yellow oil which crystallizes at 0°C. No further purification is necessary. This type of transformation may also be performed asymmetrically (Tetrahedron Letters 1998, 39, 5347-5350, and references therein) to provide either enantiomer of 24a in enantiomerically-pure form. b. Methyl (3-oxycyclohexan-l-yl)-glycinate benzophenone: To a stiπed solution of diisopropylamine (13.1 g, 130 mmole) in 150 mL of THF at -78°C under N₂ is added «-butyl lithium (12.4 mL, 10 M in hexanes). The solution is stiπed for 45 min. and then methyl glycinate benzophenone 24a (30.0 g, 118 mmole) in 100 mL of THF is added dropwise. After an additional 45 min. cyclohexanone (11.3 g, 180 mmole) is added dropwise, the resulting solution is stiπed for an additional 3 hr. The reaction is quenched at -78°C with H₂O and allowed to warm to rt. The solution is further diluted with H₂O and extracted with CH₂C1₂ (3x). The combined organic extracts are washed with brine, dried over MgSO₄, and evaporated to dryness to give the crude product a viscous orange oil. Purification by flash chromatography with 10%-20% EtOAc:hexanes provides the desired pure product as a yellow oil. c. Methyl N-{[4'-methoxy-(l,l'-biphenyl)-4-yl]-sulfonyl}-amino-(3-oxycyclohexan-l-yl)- acetate: Following a literature procedure (Tetrahedron Letters 1997, 38 (49), 8595-8598), methyl (3-oxycyclohexan-l-yl)-glycinate benzophenone 24b (6.04 g, 17.3 mmole) is reacted with citric acid (20 mL, 15% wt/vol aqueous solution) in THF (40 mL) at rt for 5 hr. The solution is then extracted with Et₂0 (2x) to remove byproduct benzophenone and any remaining starting material. The remaining aqueous solution is diluted with H₂0 (30 mL) and the crude ammonium citrate is used without further purification. To this solution is added NaHC0₃ (approx. 20 g, excess) in portions. After the solution is completely neutralized and an excess of NaHC0₃ persists, the solution is diluted with dioxane (50 mL) and [4'-methoxy-(l,l'-biphenyl)-4-yl]- sulfonyl chloride (9.78 g, 34.6 mmole) is added. The slurry is then vigorously stiπed overnight at rt. Afterwards, the solution is diluted with H₂0 (500 mL) and extracted with CH₂C1₂ (3x). The combined organic extracts are washed with brine, dried over MgS0₄ and evaporated to dryness to give the crude product as a white foam. Purification by flash chromatography with 25%-75% EtOAc: hexanes provides the desired product as an inseparable mixture of cis and trans diastereomers. d. Methyl N-{[4'-methoxy-(l,l '-biphenyl)-4-yl]-suIfonyl}-amino-(3-hydroxy-cycIohexan-l- yl)-acetate: To a stiπed solution of ketone 24c (1.50 g, 3.48 mmole) in MeOH:CH₂Cl₂ (3:1, 20 mL) at 0°C under N₂ is added NaBH₄ (526 mg, 13.9 mmole). After 1 hr, the solution is diluted with H₂0 (60 mL) and extracted with EtOAc (3x). The organic extracts are washed with brine, dried over MgS0₄ and evaporated to dryness to give the crude product as a white solid which requires no further purification. e. Methyl ester 24d is hydrolyzed as described for compound 4d to give the title acid as a white solid.

Example 25 Preparation ofN-{[4'-methoxy-(l,l'-biphenyl)-4-yI]-sulfonyl}-amino-(3- benzyloxycyclohexan-l-yl)-acetic acid a. Methyl N-{[4'-methoxy-(l,l'-biphenyl)-4-yl]-sulfonyl}-amino-(3-benzyloxy-cyclohexan- l-yl)-acetate: To a stiπed solution of alcohol 24d (203 mg, 0.468 mmole) in DMF (15 mL) at RT under N₂ is added sodium hydride (20.6 mg, 0.515 mmole, 60% dispersion in mineral oil). After 40 min. benzyl bromide (240 mg, 1.40 mmole) is added. The solution is allowed to stir for 3 hr, then quenched with H₂O and extracted with Et₂0 (3x). The combined organic layers are dried over MgS0₄ and evaporated to dryness to give the crude product. Purification by flash chromatography with 33%-66% EtOAc: hexanes provides two separable products, coπesponding to the cis and trans diastereomers. b. Methyl ester 25a is hydrolyzed as described for compound 4d to give the title acid as a colorless oil or a white solid, depending upon which diastereomer is desired.

Example 26 Preparation of 7V-{[4'-methoxy-(l,l'-biphenyl)-4-yl]-sulfonyl}-amino-(l,5-dioxa- spiro[5.5]undec-8-yl)-acetic acid a. Methyl N-{[4'-methoxy-(l,l'-biphenyl)-4-yl]-sulfonyl}-amino-(l,5-dioxa- spiro[5.5]undec-8-yl)-acetate: Ketone 24c is reacted with 1,3-propanediol as described for compound 2d. b. Methyl ester 26a is hydrolyzed as described for compound 4d to give the title acid.

Example 27 Preparation of/Λ'-{[4'-bromo-(l,l'-biphenyl)-4-yl]-sulfonyl}-amino-(l,5-dioxa- spiro[5.5]undec-8-yl)-acetic acid a. Methyl N-{[4'-bromo-(l,l'-biphenyI)-4-yI]-suIfonyI}-amino-(3-oxycycIohexan-l-yI)- acetate: Benzophenone imine 24b is hydrolyzed as described for compound 24c to give the intermediate ammonium citrate, which is coupled with [4'-bromo-(l,l'-biphenyl)-4-yl]-sulfonyl chloride as described for compound 24c. b. Methyl {[4'-bromo-(l,l'-biphenyl)-4-yl]-sulfonyl}-amino-(l,5-dioxa-spiro[5.5]undec-8- yl)-acetate: Ketone 27a is reacted with 1,3-propanediol as described for compound 2d. c. Methyl ester 27a is hydrolyzed as described for compound 4d to give the title acid.

Example 28 Preparation of {[4'-methoxy-(l,l'-biphenyl)-4-yl]-sulfonyl}-amino-[3-(7Y-benzylamino)- cyclohexan-l-yl]-acetic acid a. Methyl N-{[4'-methoxy-(l,l '-biphenyl)-4-yI]-sulfonyl}-amino-[3-(N-benzylamino)- cyclohexan-l-yl]-acetate: Ketone 24c is condensed with benzyl amine as described for compound 8a. b. Methyl ester 28a is hydrolyzed as described for compound 4d to give the title acid as a white solid.

Example 29 Preparation ofN-{[4'-methoxy-(l,l'-biphenyl)-4-yl]-sulfonyl}-amino-[3-(N-benzyl-iV- acetylamino)-cyclohexan-l-yl] -acetic acid a. Methyl N-{[4'-methoxy-(l,l'-biphenyl)-4-yl]-sulfonyI}-amino-[3-(N-benzyI-N- acetylamino)-cyclohexan-l-yI]-acetate: Benzyl amine 28a is reacted with acetyl chloride and Et₃Ν as described for compound 9a to give the desired compound as a separable mixture of cis and trans diastereomers. b. Methyl ester 29a is hydrolyzed as described for compound 4d to give the title acid as a white solid.

Example 30

Preparation ofN-{[4'-methoxy-(l,l'-biphenyl)-4-yl]-sulfonyl}-amino-{3-[7V-benzyl-(2- methoxy)-ethoxyformylamino]-cyclohexan-l-yl}-acetic acid a. Methyl N-{[4'-methoxy-(l,l'-biphenyl)-4-yl]-sulfonyl}-amino-{3-[iV-benzyl-N-(2- methoxy)-ethoxyformylamino]-cyclohexan-l-yl}-acetate: Benzyl amine 28a is reacted with chloroformic acid 2-methoxyethyl ether and Et₃N as described for compound 9a. b. Methyl ester 30a is hydrolyzed as described for compound 4d to give the title acid as a white solid. Example 31

Preparation of7V-{[4'-methoxy-(l,l'-biphenyl)-4-yl]-sulfonyl}-amino-[3-(N-benzyl-N- methanesulfonylamino)-cyclohexan-l-yl] -acetic acid a. Methyl N-{[4'-methoxy-(l,l'-biphenyl)-4-yl]-sulfonyl}-amino-[3-(N-benzyl-N- methanesuIfonylamino)-cyclohexan-l-yl]-acetate: Benzyl amine 28a is reacted with methanesulfonyl chloride and Et₃N as described for compound 9a. b. Methyl ester 31a is hydrolyzed as described for compound 4d to give the title acid as a white solid.

Example 32 Preparation of N-{[4'-methoxy-(l,l'-biphenyl)-4-yl]-sulfonyl}-amino-[3-(N-methylamino)- cydohexan-l-yl]-acetic acid a. Methyl N-{[4'-methoxy-(l,l '-biphenyl)-4-yl]-sulfonyl}-amino-[3-(N-methylamino)- cydohexan-l-yl]-acetate: Ketone 24c is condensed with methyl amine hydrochloride as described for compound 8a. b. Methyl ester 32a is hydrolyzed as described for compound 4d to give the title acid as a white solid.

Example 33 Preparation of N-{[4'-methoxy-(l,l'-biphenyl)-4-yl]-sulfonyl}-amino-[3-(N-methyl-N- acetylamino)-cyclohexan-l-yl]-acetic acid a. Methyl 7V-{[4 '-methoxy-(l,l '-biphenyl)-4-yl]-sulfonyl}-amino- [3-(V-methyl-N- acetylamino)-cyclohexan-l-yl]-acetate: Methyl amine 32a is reacted with acetyl chloride and Et₃N as described for compound 9a to give the desired compound as a separable mixture of cis and trans diastereomers. b. Methyl ester 33a is hydrolyzed as described for compound 4d to give the title acid as a white solid.

Example 34

Preparation of iV-{[4'-methoxy-(l,l'-biphenyl)-4-yl]-sulfonyl}-amino-{3-[N-methyl-(2- methoxy)-ethoxyformylamino]-cyclohexan-l-yl}-acetic acid a. Methyl N-{[4'-methoxy-(l,l'-biphenyl)-4-yl]-sulfonyl}-amino-{3-[N-methyl-N-(2- methoxy)-ethoxyformylamino]-cyclohexan-l-yl}-acetate: Methyl amine 32a is reacted with chloroformic acid 2-methoxyethyl ether and Et₃N as described for compound 9a. b. Methyl ester 34a is hydrolyzed as described for compound 4d to give the title acid as a white solid. Example 35

Preparation of N-{[4'-methoxy-(l,l'-biphenyl)-4-yl]-sulfonyl}-amino-[3-(N-methyI-N- methanesulfonylamino)-cyclohexan-l-yl]-acetic acid a. Methyl N-{[4'-methoxy-(l,l'-biphenyl)-4-yl]-sulfonyl}-amino-[3-(N-methyl-N- methanesulfonylamino)-cyclohexan-l-yI]-acetate: Methyl amine 32a is reacted with methanesulfonyl chloride and Et₃N as described for compound 9a. b. Methyl ester 35a is hydrolyzed as described for compound 4d to give the title acid as a white solid.

EXAMPLES 36-38 The following substructure and table show the structure of compounds made according to the procedures described in Examples 36-38. In these compounds, with reference to Formula (I), A is cyclopentane, R¹ is -OH and n=0.

Example 36

Preparation ofN-{[4'-methoxy-(l,l'-biphenyl)-4-yl]-sulfonyl}-amino-(l,5-dioxa-7-methyl- spiro[5.4]dec-7-yl)-acetic acid a. Methyl (3-oxocyclopent-l-yl)-glycinate benzophenone: Glycinate 24a is added to the olefin of 3-methylcyclopent-2-enone as described for compound 24b. b. The cyclopentanone 36b is carried forward to the title acid as described for compound 26a-b.

Example 37

Preparation of V-{[4'-methoxy-(l,l'-biphenyl)-4-yl]-sulfonyl}-amino-[l-methyl-3-(N- benzylamino)-cyclopentan-l-yl]-acetic acid a. Methyl N-{[4'-methoxy-(l,l'-biphenyl)-4-yl]-sulfonyl}-amino-[l-methyI-3-(N- benzylamino)-cyclopentan-l-yl]-acetate: Ketone 36 is condensed with benzyl amine as described for compound 8a. b. Methyl ester 37a is hydrolyzed as described for compound 4d to give the title acid as a white solid. Example 38 Preparation ofN-{[4'-methoxy-(l,l'-biphenyl)-4-yl]-sulfonyl}-amino-[l-methyl-3-(N-benzyl-

N-acetylamino)-cyclopentan-l-yl]-acetic acid a. Methyl N-{[4'-methoxy-(l,l'-biphenyl)-4-yl]-sulfonyl}-amino-[l-methyI-3-(N-benzyl-N- acetylamino)-cyclopentan-l-yl] -acetate: Benzyl amine 37a is reacted with acetyl chloride and Et₃Ν as described for compound 9a to give the desired compound as an inseparable mixture of cis and trans diastereomers. b. Methyl ester 38a is hydrolyzed as described for compound 4d to give the title acid as a white solid.

EXAMPLES 39 AND 40

The following substructure and table show the structure of compounds made according to the procedures described in Examples 39 and 40. In these compounds, with reference to Formula (I), A is cyclopentane, R¹ is -OH and n=0.

Example 39

Preparation ofN-{[4'-methoxy-(l,l'-biphenyl)-4-yl]-sulfonyl}-amino-(l-benzyl-2-oxo- octahydro-cyclopentaimidazol-5-yl)-acetic acid

The starting 2-benzyl-2,4-diaza-czs-bicyclo[3.3.0]octane-3,7-dione (C. J. Haπis et. al. J. Chem. Soc, Perkin 1, 1980, 2497) is coupled with benzyloxycarbonylamino-(dimethoxy-phosphoryl)- acetic acid methyl ester as described for compound 4a and then caπied forward to the title acid as described for compound 4b-d.

Example 40 Preparation of N-{[4'-methoxy-(l,l'-biphenyl)-4-yl]-sulfonyl}-amino-(l-benzyl-2-oxo- octahydro-cyclopentaimidazol-5-yl)-acetic acid

The starting 2,4-phenyl-2,4-diaza-czs-bicyclo[3.3.0]octane-3,7-dione (C. J. Haπis et. al. J. Chem. Soc, Perkin 1, 1980, 2497) is coupled with benzyloxycarbonylamino-(dimethoxy-phosphoryl)- acetic acid methyl ester as described for compound 4a and then caπied forward to the title acid as described for compound 4b-d.

IX. Examples - Compositions and Methods of Use

The compounds of the invention are useful to prepare compositions for the treatment of ailments associated with unwanted MP activity. The following composition and method examples do not limit the invention, but provide guidance to the skilled artisan to prepare and use the compounds, compositions and methods of the invention. In each case other compounds within the invention may be substituted for the example compound shown below with similar results. The skilled practitioner will appreciate that the examples provide guidance and may be varied based on the condition being treated and the patient. The following abbreviations are used in this section:

EDTA: ethylenediaminetetracetic acid SDA: synthetically denatured alcohol USP: United States Pharmacopoeia

Example A A tablet composition for oral administration, according to the present invention, is made comprising:

Component Amount

The compound of Example 31 15 mg

Lactose 120 mg Maize Starch 70 mg

Talc 4 mg

Magnesium Stuart 1 mg

A human female subject weighing 60 kg (132 lbs), suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, is treated by a method of this invention. Specifically, for 2 years, a regimen of three tablets per day is administered orally to said subject.

At the end of the treatment period, the patient is examined and is found to have reduced inflammation, and improved mobility without concomitant pain. Example B

A capsule for oral administration, according to the present invention, is made comprising: Component Amount (%w/w)

The compound of Example 10 15% Polyethylene glycol 85%

A human male subject weighing 90 kg (198 lbs.), suffering from osteoarthritis, is treated by a method of this invention. Specifically, for 5 years, a capsule containing 70 mg of the compound of Example 3 is administered daily to said subject.

At the end of the treatment period, the patient is examined via x-ray, arthroscopy and/or MRI, and found to have no further advancement of erosion/fibrillation of the articular cartilage.

Example C

A saline-based composition for local administration, according to the present invention, is made comprising:

Component Amount (%w/w) The compound of Example 1 5 %

Polyvinyl alcohol 15 %

Saline 80%

A patient having deep corneal abrasion applies the drop to each eye twice a day. Healing is speeded, with no visual sequelae. Example D

A topical composition for local administration, according to the present invention, is made comprising:

Component Composition (% w/v)

The compound of Example 3 0.20

Benzalkonium chloride 0.02

Thimerosal 0.002 d-Sorbitol 5.00

Glycine 0.35

Aromatics 0.075

Purified water q.s.

Total = 100.00

A patient suffering from chemical burns applies the composition at each dressing change (b.i.d.). Scaπing is substantially diminished.

Example E An inhalation aerosol composition, according to the present invention, is made comprising:

Component Composition (% w/v)

Compound of Example 33 5.0

Alcohol 33.0

Ascorbic acid 0.1

Menthol 0.1

Sodium Saccharin 0.2

Propellant (F12. F114) a-s.

Total = 100.0

An asthma sufferer sprays 0.01 mL via a pump actuator into the mouth while inhaling. Asthma symptoms are diminished.

Example F

A topical opthalmic composition, according to the present invention, is made comprising: Component Composition (% w/v)

Compound of Example 17 0.10

Benzalkonium chloride 0.01

EDTA 0.05

Hydroxyethylcellulose (NATROSOL M) 0.50

Sodium metabisulfite 0.10

Sodium chloride (0.9%) α^s.

Total = 100.0

A human male subject weighing 90 kg (198 lbs), suffering from corneal ulcerations, is treated by a method of this invention. Specifically, for 2 months, a saline solution containing 10 mg of the compound of Example 16 is administered to said subject's affected eye twice-daily.

Example G

A composition for parenteral administration is made comprising:

Component Amount

The compound of Example 31 100 mg/mL carrier Caπier:

Sodium citrate buffer with (percent by weight of carrier): lecithin 0.48% carboxymethylcellulose 0.53 povidone 0.50 methyl paraben 0.11 propyl paraben 0.011

The above ingredients are mixed, forming a suspension. Approximately 2.0 mL of the suspension is administered, via injection, to a human subject with a premetastatic tumor. The injection site juxtaposes the tumor. This dosage is repeated twice daily, for approximately 30 days. After 30 days, symptoms of the disease subside, and dosage is gradually decreased to maintain the patient.

Example H

A mouthwash composition is prepared:

Component %w/v

The compound of Example 9 3.00

SDA 40 Alcohol 8.00

Flavor 0.08

Emulsifier 0.08

Sodium Fluoride 0.05

Glycerin 10.00

Sweetener 0.02

Benzoic acid 0.05

Sodium hydroxide 0.20

Dye 0.04

Water balance to 100%

A patient with gum disease uses 1 mL of the mouthwash thrice daily to prevent further oral degeneration.

Example 1

A lozenge composition is prepared:

Component %w/v

The compound of Example 20 0.01

Sorbitol 17.50

Mannitol 17.50

Starch 13.60

Sweetener 1.20 Flavor 11.70

Color 0.10

Corn Syrup balance to 100% patient uses the lozenge to prevent loosening of an implant in the maxilla.

Example J

Chewing Gum Composition

Component w/v%

The compound of Example 6 0.03

Sorbitol crystals 38.44

Paloja-T gum base 20.00

Sorbitol (70% aqueous solution) 22.00

Mannitol 10.00

Glycerine 7.56

Flavor 1.00 A patient chews the gum to prevent loosening of dentures.

Example K

Components w/v%

Compound of Example 25 4.0

USP Water 50.656 Methylparaben 0.05

Propylparaben 0.01

Xanthan Gum 0.12

Guar Gum 0.09

Calcium carbonate 12.38 Antifoam 1.27

Sucrose 15.0

Sorbitol 11.0

Glycerin 5.0

Benzyl Alcohol 0.2 Citric Acid 0.15

Coolant 0.00888

Flavor 0.0645

Colorant 0.0014 The composition is prepared by first mixing 80 kg of glycerin and all of the benzyl alcohol and heating to 65°C, then slowly adding and mixing together methylparaben, propylparaben, water, xanthan gum, and guar gum. Mix these ingredients for about 12 minutes with a Silverson in-line mixer. Then slowly add in the following ingredients in the following order: remaining glycerin, sorbitol, antifoam C, calcium carbonate, citric acid, and sucrose. Separately combine flavors and coolants and then slowly add to the other ingredients. Mix for about 40 minutes. The patient takes the formulation to prevent flare up of colitis.

Example L

An obese human female subject, who is determined to be prone to osteoarthritis, is administered the capsule described in Example B to prevent the symptoms of osteoarthritis. Specifically, a capsule is administered daily to the subject.

The patient is examined via x-ray, arthroscopy and/or MRI, and found to have no significant advancement of erosion/fibrillation of the articular cartilage.

Example M A human male subject weighing 90 kg (198 lbs.), who suffers a sports injury, is administered the capsule described in Example B to prevent the symptoms of osteoarthritis. Specifically, a capsule is administered daily to the subject.

The patient is examined via x-ray, arthroscopy and/or MRI, and found to have no significant advancement of erosion/fibrillation of the articular cartilage. All references described herein are hereby incorporated by reference.

While particular embodiments of the subject invention have been described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications of the subject invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is intended to cover, in the appended claims, all such modifications that are within the scope of this invention.

Claims (12)

What is claimed is:

1. A compound having a structure according to the following Formula (I):

characterized in that:

(A) R¹ is selected from -OH and -NHOH;

(B) R² is selected from hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, heteroalkyl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, heteroaryl and heteroarylalkyl; or R² and A form a ring as described in (C);

(C) A is a substituted or unsubstituted, monocyclic cycloalkyl having from 3 to 8 ring atoms; or A can be connected to R² where, together, they form a substituted or unsubstituted, monocyclic cycloalkyl having from 3 to 8 ring atoms;

(D) E and E' are bonded to the same or different ring carbon atoms of A and are independently selected from a covalent bond, C1-C4 alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, heteroalkyl, -O-, -S-, -N(R⁴)-, =N, C=0, -C(=O)0-, -C(=0)N(R⁴)-, -SO2- and -C(=S)N(R⁴)-, where R⁴ is selected from hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, heteroalkyl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, heteroaryl and heteroarylalkyl; or R⁴ and L join to form a ring as described in (E)(2);

(E) (1) L and L' are independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, heteroalkyl, haloalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, -C(=0)R⁵, -C(=0)OR⁵, -C(=0)NR⁵R^5' and -SO2R⁵, where R⁵ and

R^5' each is independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, heteroalkyl, haloalkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, heteroaryl and heteroarylalkyl; or

(2) L and R⁴ join to form an optionally substituted heterocyclic ring containing from 3 to 8 ring atoms of which from 1 to 3 are heteroatoms; or

(3) L and U join to form an optionally substituted cycloalkyl containing from 3 to 8 ring atoms or an optionally substituted heterocycloalkyl containing from 3 to 8 ring atoms of which from 1 to 3 are heteroatoms;

(F) G is selected from -S-, -0-, -N(R⁶)-, -C(R⁶)=C(R^6')-, -N=C(R⁶)-, and -N=N-, where R⁶ and R⁶ each is independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, heteroalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, cycloalkyl and heterocycloalkyl; and

(G) Z is selected from:

(1) cycloalkyl and heterocycloalkyl;

(2) -J-(CR⁷R^7')_αR⁸ where:

(a) a is from 0 to 4;

(b) J is selected from -C≡C-, -CH=CH-, -N=N-, -0-, -S- and -SO2-;

(c) each R⁷ and R⁷ is independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, heteroalkyl, heteroaryl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, halogen, haloalkyl, hydroxy and alkoxy; and

(d) R⁸ is selected from hydrogen, aryl, heteroaryl, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, heteroalkyl, haloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl and cycloalkyl; and, if J is

C=C- or -CH=CH-, then R⁸ may also be selected from -C(=0)NR⁹R^9' where (i) R⁹ and R⁹ are independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, haloalkyl, heteroalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, cycloalkyl, and heterocycloalkyl, or (ii) R⁹ and R^9', together with the nitrogen atom to which they are bonded, join to form an optionally substituted heterocyclic ring containing from 5 to 8 ring atoms of which from 1 to 3 are heteroatoms;

(3) -NR¹⁰R^10' where:

(a) R¹⁰ and R¹⁰ each is independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, heteroalkyl, haloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, cycloalkyl, heteroalkyl and - where: (i) b is from 0 to 4;

(ii) Q is selected from a covalent bond and -N(R¹³)-; and (iii) each R¹¹ and R^11' is independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, heteroalkyl, heteroaryl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, halogen, haloalkyl, hydroxy and alkoxy; and either (A) R¹² and R¹³ each is independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, heteroalkyl, haloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, cycloalkyl and heterocycloalkyl, or (B) R¹² and R¹³, together with the atoms to which they are bonded, join to form an optionally substituted heterocyclic ring containing from 5 to 8 ring atoms of which from 1 to 3 are heteroatoms; or R¹⁰ and R¹³, together with the nitrogen atoms to which they are bonded, join to form an optionally substituted heterocyclic ring containing from 5 to 8 ring atoms of which from 2 to 3 are heteroatoms; or (b) R¹⁰ and R¹⁰ , together with the nitrogen atom to which they are bonded, join to form an optionally substituted heterocyclic ring containing from 5 to 8 ring atoms of which from 1 to 3 are heteroatoms; and

_{(4) Where:}

(a) A' and J' are independently selected from -CH- and -N-;

(b) G' is selected from -S-, -0-, -N(R¹⁵)-, -C(R¹⁵)=C(R¹⁵')-,-N=C(R¹⁵)- and N=N-, where R¹⁵ and R¹⁵ each is independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, heteroalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl cycloalkyl and heterocycloalkyl;

(c) c is from 0 to 4;

(d) each R¹⁴ and R¹⁴ is independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, heteroalkyl, heteroaryl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, halogen, haloalkyl, hydroxy and alkoxy;

(e) D is selected from a covalent bond, -0-, -SO -, -C(=0)-, C(=0)N(R¹⁶)-, -N(R¹⁶)- and -N(R^I6)C(=0>; where d is from 0 to 2 and R¹⁶ is selected from hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, heteroaryl, heteroalkyl, heteroaryl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl and haloalkyl; and

(f) T is -(CR¹⁷R^,7')e-R¹⁸ where e is from 0 to 4; each R¹⁷ and R^,7"is independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, heteroalkyl, heteroaryl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, halogen, haloalkyl, hydroxy, alkoxy and aryloxy; and R¹⁸ is selected from hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, halogen, heteroalkyl, haloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, cycloalkyl and heterocycloalkyl; or R¹⁷ and R¹⁸, together with the atoms to which they are bonded, join to form an optionally substituted heterocyclic ring containing from 5 to 8 atoms of which 1 to 3 are heteroatoms; or R¹⁶ and R¹⁸, together with the atoms to which they are bonded, join to form an optionally substituted heterocyclic ring containing from 5 to 8 atoms of which 1 to 3 are heteroatoms; or an optical isomer, diastereomer or enantiomer for Formula (I), or a pharmaceutically- acceptable salt, or biohydrolyzable amide, ester, or imide thereof.

2. A compound according to Claim 1 characterized in that E and E' are bonded to the same ring carbon atom of A and are independently selected from -O- and -S-, and characterized in that L and L' join to form an optionally substituted hetercycloalkyl containing from 3 to 8 ring atoms of which 2 are heteroatoms.

3. A compound according to Claim 1 characterized in that E' is a covalent bond, L' is hydrogen, and E is selected from -0-, -S-, NR⁴ and -S0₂-.

4. A compound according to Claim 3 characterized in that (i) L is selected from hydrogen, alkyl, heteroalkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, -C(=0)R⁵, - C(=0)OR⁵, -C(=0)NR⁵R^5' and -SO2 ⁵ or (ii) L and R⁴ join to form an optionally substituted heterocyclic ring containing from 3 to 8 ring atoms of which from 1 to 3 are heteroatoms.

5. A compound according to Claims 1, 2, 3 or 4 characterized in that Z is -NR¹⁰R¹⁰ where R¹⁰ is hydrogen and R^10' is -C(0)-Q-(CR^UR^U')6R¹² where b is 0, Q is selected from a covalent bond and -N(R¹³)-, and R¹² is selected from aryl, heteroaryl, cycloalkyl, and heterocycloalkyl, or R¹² and R¹³, together with the nitrogen atom to which they are bonded, join to form an optionally substituted heterocyclic ring containing 5 or 6 ring atoms of which from 1 or 2 are heteroatoms.

6. A compound according to Claims 1, 2, 3 or 4 characterized in that Z is _or -C(R¹⁵)=C(R¹⁵')-, where R¹⁵ and R^15' each is independently selected from hydrogen and lower alkyl; c is 0; D is a covalent bond or -0-; and T is -(CR^!7R^17')_e-R¹⁸ where e is 0 and R¹⁸ is selected from lower alkyl, lower heteroalkyl, halogen and aryl.

7. A compound according to any of the preceding claims characterized in that G is selected from -S- and -C(R⁶)=C(R^6')-

8. A compound according to any of the preceding claims characterized in that A is substituted or unsubstituted cyclopentane or cyclohexane and n=0.

9. A pharmaceutical composition comprising:

(a) a safe and effective amount of a compound according to any of the preceding claims; and

(b) a pharmaceutically-acceptable caπier.

10. The use of a compound according to any of the preceding claims on the manufacture of a medicament for treating a disease associated with unwanted metalloprotease activity in a mammalian subject.

11. The use according to Claim 10, characterized in that the disorder is arthritis, and is chosen from the group consisting of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

12. The use according to claim 10, characterized in that the disorder is cancer, and the treatment prevents or aπests tumor growth and metastasis.